| Dan Cozzetto |
 |
|
 | Position:
Tight End/Offensive Line
|
|
|
|
|
ASSIGNMENT: Tight Ends/Offensive Line
COLLEGE: University of Idaho, 1979
AGE: Born 5/26/55, Spokane, WA
YEAR AT OSU: 3rd
JOINED OSU STAFF: February 2, 2000
PREVIOUS COACHING EMPLOYMENT:
*Idaho, 1979-90
*California, 1990-92
*Arizona State, 1992-2000
*OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY, 2000-Present
PREVIOUS COACHING EXPERIENCE:
(1979-89)--Dan launched his coaching career at his alma mater, Idaho, in 1979 as a graduate assistant working with linebackers under Coach Jerry Davitch. After serving two years as a graduate assistant (1979-80), he moved into full-time status in 1981 as wide receiver and tight end coach. He coached wide receivers and tight ends until 1985 and then moved to the offensive line starting with the 1986 season. Additionally, he was also the special teams coordinator from 1983 until 1988. During his final season at Idaho, 1989, Dan served as offensive coordinator. At Idaho, Dan worked under several head coaches, including Dennis Erickson (1982-85), Keith Gilbertson (1986-88) and John L. Smith (1989).
(1990-92)--Dan joined the staff of Bruce Snyder at the University of California in 1990 as offensive line coach.
(1992-2000)--Dan followed Snyder to Arizona State University in 1992 where he served as the Sun Devils’ offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. He was named offensive coordinator at ASU when Snyder took the position as head coach.
(2000)—Dan joined Dennis Erickson’s staff as an assistant coach in charge of running backs on February 2, 2000. Dan’s coaching assignment was changed prior to the start of spring drills in 2001 to coach tight ends and assist Gregg Smith with the offensive line.
PREP ATHLETIC CAREER: Dan attended Gonzaga Preparatory High School, Spokane, WA, graduating in 1974. He earned three letters in football as a tight end and linebacker.
COLLEGE ATHLETIC CAREER: Dan attended Spokane Falls Junior College from 1974-75, earning two letters as a tight end. As a sophomore in 1975, he was a first team all-conference selection and earned honorable mention junior college All-America honors. Dan transferred to the University of Idaho as a junior in 1976 and played three years as a tight end, linebacker and offensive guard.
EDUCATION: Graduated in 1973 from Gonzaga Preparatory High School, Spokane, WA. Attended Spokane Falls Junior College, 1974-75. Attended University of Idaho, 1976-79, earning degrees in history and health and physical education
PERSONAL: Dan is married to the former Debbie Egger. They have four children, Adrian, 26 (11/5/76); Rachel, 24 (4/16/78); Ryan, 19 (4/26/83) and Tara, 15 (4/6/87). Ryan is a redshirt freshman safety and punter on the Oregon State football.
RECRUITING AREA: State of Arizona and Orange County, CA.
NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: In his first year as a collegiate offensive coordinator, Idaho led the nation in total offense in 1989, registering 495.9 yards per game. The Vandals were also No. 1 in passing offense (374.3) and No. 6 in scoring offense (35.1 points per game). At Idaho, Dan developed Mark Schlereth and Eric Yarber. Schlereth was a 13-year NFL veteran who played offensive guard for the Washington Redskins and Denver Broncos and earned all-pro honors and three Super Bowl rings. Yarber went on to play wide receiver for the Washington Redskins and win a Super Bowl ring. Yarber is currently an OSU assistant coach. All five of his offensive linemen at Idaho earned some type of all-conference recognition in both 1988 and ‘89 with three receiving Division I-AA All-America status in ‘88 and two in ‘89. Another standout he coached was quarterback John Friesz (1989). Friesz played a total of 11 years in the NFL with San Diego Chargers, Washington Redskins, Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots. Dan is credited with turning around the fortunes of the California offensive line during his tenure (1990-91). His arrival at Cal (1990) resulted in the Bears’ most productive year on the ground in 15 seasons, collecting 2,235 yards. Dan’s offensive line was also responsible for Cal being only the second team in NCAA history to have two 1,000-yard rushers and a 2,000-yard passer on the same team. Cozzetto tutored first-team Kodak All-America Tory Auzenne, a second round pick of the Chicago Bears, in 1990 and ‘91. He also tutored all-pro Todd Steussie, a former first round pick of the Minnesota Vikings who now plays for the Carolina Panthers; Eric Mahlum, a former first round pick of the Indianapolis Colts at offensive guard and Steve Gordon (San Francisco 49ers). At ASU, Cozzetto tutored such standout Sun Devils Jake Plummer, quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals; Juan Roque, offensive tackle for Detroit Lions; Grey Ruegamer, a center for the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots; Marvel Smith, starting right tackle and second round pick of Pittsburgh Steelers; J.R. Redmond, running back for Super Bowl champion New England Patriots; Terrelle Smith, starting fullback for New Orleans Saints; Levi Jones, left tackle and first round draft pick of the Cincinnati Bengals; right tackle Victor Leyva, fourth round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals and Scott Peters, a fourth round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles.. Dan’s ASU offense ranked fourth in the nation in 1996, averaging 492.45 yards per game. The Sun Devils were third in scoring, averaging 42.82 points per outing. In 1997, Cozzetto’s offense led the Pac-10 in rushing (193.8) and was fourth in total offense (406.5). Offensive linemen Murphy and Ruegamer were first-team All-Pac-10, while Murphy was a third-team All-American by The Football News and the Associated Press. Ruegamer was selected third-team All-American by The Sporting News. Cozzetto’s 1998 offense averaged 411.8 yards per game, the third straight season ASU had cracked the 400-yard mark. ASU averaged 259 yards per game passing, the most in school history. Dan coached OSU All-America tailback Ken Simonton in 2000-01. Simonton finished his career as the Beavers’ career rushing and scoring leader.
