Football Coaching Staff Announced

Jan. 4, 2005

Twenty-five seasons of experience as a collegiate head coach. Twenty-nine seasons as an offensive or defensive coordinator (plus 21 more as a special teams or recruiting coordinator).

Twelve seasons as a National Football League assistant coach (including five playoff appearances). Seventy-seven postseason bowl appearances. Forty-two bowl victories. Forty-five finishes in the final Associated Press top 25 rankings.

That represents the combined experience of the nine members of the new University of Notre Dame football coaching staff announced today by head coach Charlie Weis.

The nine assistants are:

Assistant head coach (offense) and quarterbacks coach David Cutcliffe – most recently head coach the last six seasons at the University of Mississippi.

Offensive coordinator and running backs coach Michael Haywood, a former Notre Dame player and most recently running backs coach, assistant special teams coordinator and recruiting coordinator in his second season at the University of Texas.

Receivers coach and recruiting coordinator Rob Ianello, tight ends coach the past two years at Wisconsin.

Offensive line coach John Latina, offensive coordinator the last five years and offensive line coach the past six years at the University of Mississippi and a 26-year collegiate coach.

Assistant head coach (defense) and defensive backs coach Bill Lewis, defensive nickel package coach the last nine seasons for the NFL Miami Dolphins and previously a collegiate head coach at Wyoming, East Carolina and Georgia Tech.

Defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Rick Minter, defensive coordinator in 2004 at the University of South Carolina and previously a head coach for 10 seasons at the University of Cincinnati (as well as a former defensive coordinator at Notre Dame in 1992-93).

Defensive line coach Jerome “Jappy” Oliver, defensive line coach the past two seasons at the University of South Carolina and a veteran of 25 seasons coaching at the college level.

Tight ends coach and special teams coach Bernie Parmalee, tight ends coach in 2004, his third season coaching with the NFL Miami Dolphins, following seven seasons as a player with the Dolphins and two years with the New York Jets.

Assistant defensive backs and special teams coach Brian Polian, running backs coach and recruiting coordinator in 2004 at the University of Central Florida. Here’s a closer look at the nine members of Weis’ Irish coaching staff:

CUTCLIFFE produced a 44-29 ledger (.603) in his six seasons (1999-2004) as Ole Miss head coach. He’s the only Rebel coach to win at least seven games in his first five seasons, and he joined John Vaught as the only coaches to produce five straight seven-win campaigns during their tenures at Mississippi.

David Cutcliffe

The appearance in the ’04 Cotton Bowl marked the Rebels’ fourth bowl game in Cutcliffe’s first five seasons. Following a 31-28 victory over Oklahoma State in that contest, Ole Miss ended the `03 campaign with a 10-3 overall record and final national ranking of 13th. Cutcliffe earned Southeastern Conference coach-of-the-year honors from both Associated Press and the league coaches.

Considered one of the best offensive minds in college football, Cutcliffe less than a month after taking the Ole Miss job saw his Rebels stun favored Texas Tech 35-18 in the `98 Independence Bowl. He led Mississippi to an 8-4 mark in his first full season in `99 — capped by a 27-25 win over Oklahoma in the `99 Independence Bowl. The Rebels finished 22nd in both final polls that season.

In 2000 Ole Miss finished 7-5 and met West Virginia in the Music City Bowl. The `01 campaign saw the Rebels record their fifth straight seven-win season at 7-4.

Facing perhaps the strongest schedule in school history, the `02 campaign saw Cutcliffe engineer Ole Miss to another bowl appearance – and the 27-23 win over Nebraska in the Independence Bowl closed a 7-6 campaign.

He came to Ole Miss following 17 seasons on the Tennessee staff, the last six as offensive coordinator.

Cutcliffe has coached eight players who became first-round NFL draft picks, including Ole Miss quarterback Eli Manning (chosen first overall by San Diego in the `04 draft, then traded to the New York Giants) and Ole Miss running back Deuce McAllister (he went to New Orleans with the 23rd overall pick in the `01 draft). While at Tennessee, Cutcliffe developed Eli’s brother, Peyton Manning, into one of the most prolific signal-callers in SEC and NCAA history and the first overall selection in the `98 NFL draft.

Peyton Manning — under Cutcliffe’s guidance — set 42 records during his career and passed for 11,201 yards (first all-time in the SEC), as he became, at the time, only the fourth player in NCAA history to pass for more than 11,000 yards. Eli surpassed his brother by setting 47 Ole Miss records and became the fifth player in SEC history to pass for 10,000 yards with 10,119.

As Vol quarterback coach, Cutcliffe also supervised the development of future NFL signal-callers Heath Shuler and Tee Martin. With Cutcliffe serving as offensive coordinator, the Vols led the SEC in total offense three times, rushing offense three times, and scoring offense once. The `97 team averaged 482.83 yards per game, and the `93 squad averaged 42.8 points per game.

While serving as head coach at Ole Miss, Cutcliffe also maintained a hands-on role with the offense. In `99, Ole Miss had one of the top rushing tandems in the country as running backs Joe Gunn and McAllister combined for 1,760 yards and 17 TDs. Ole Miss’ `03 offense was one of the most productive in school history – as the Rebels scored an Ole Miss record 442 points. Ole Miss also set a school record for total offense in `03 with 5,631 yards. The Rebels’ average of 433.2 yards of offense per game shattered the school record of 419.2 from `61.

At Ole Miss, Cutcliffe continued his success of helping develop successful quarterbacks, as he coached two of the most decorated signal-callers in school history in Romaro Miller and Eli Manning. Miller finished his career with several school records, including career passing yards and career TD passes.

During his senior season, Manning passed for 3,600 yards, including 29 TD passes, and led the SEC in passing yards (276.9) and total offense yards (274.8) per game. Both Associated Press and SEC coaches named him the `03 SEC Offensive Player of the Year. Manning also earned the Maxwell Award as the nation’s top collegiate player, and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, which goes to the country’s top senior quarterback, while being one of four finalists for the Heisman Trophy (he finished third).

While serving on the Tennessee staff, Cutcliffe helped the Vols compile a 154-46-7 record while winning five SEC championships, and one national title. In his 17 years at Tennessee the Vols went to 16 bowl games, winning 11 times, rolling up five straight bowl victories during one stretch (1985-90 seasons) – and seven times finishing in the final AP top 25.

He received the Frank Broyles Award, given annually to the nation’s top assistant coach, in 1998 (and also was a finalist in ’97).

Born Sept. 16, 1954, in Birmingham, Ala., David Nelson Cutcliffe attended the University of Alabama and received his bachelor of science degree in health, physical education and recreation in 1976. He returned to his alma mater, Banks (Ala.) High School, as an assistant coach for four years – then was named head coach in 1980. His teams reached the Alabama state high school playoffs three times as an assistant and in both his seasons as a head coach.

Cutcliffe is married to the former Karen Oran of Harriman, Tenn., and they have three children — Chris, Katie and Emily.

HAYWOOD, a four-year football letterwinner at Notre Dame (1982, ’84-`86), finished his second season at Texas in 2004. A 17-year coaching veteran, he served as Texas’ running backs coach and co-special teams coordinator each of the last two seasons – and was promoted to recruiting coordinator for `04.

Michael Haywood

Haywood tutored All-American running back and ’04 Doak Walker Award winner Cedric Benson who finished the ’04 regular season ranked first in the Big 12 Conference and fourth nationally in rushing at 160.36 yards per game. Benson led the conference and finished fourth nationally in scoring with 20 TDs (19 on the ground) – and set an NCAA record by rushing for at least one score in 37 straight games. The Longhorns ranked second nationally in rushing in ’04 (302.36 yards per game), ninth in total offense (466.27) and 14th in scoring (35.0 points).

In his first season at Texas in `03 the Longhorns ranked fifth nationally (and first in the Big 12) in rushing at 241.0 yards per game. Texas’ 2,892 rushing yards were the most for the Longhorns since 1977 and Benson rushed for 1,277 yards (seventh on the Texas all-time single-season list) and 20 TDs (third on the Texas all-time single-season list) en route to all-Big 12 honors. Benson led the nation in scoring at 11.6 points per game.

Haywood previously served as LSU running backs coach from 1995-2002 and also was the Tigers’ special teams coordinator in 1997, ’98, 2001 and `02. During his time in Baton Rouge, Haywood helped produce some of the finest running backs in LSU history – and in those eight seasons the Tigers played in six bowl games and won five of them.

In 2001 and ’02, Haywood developed LaBrandon Toefield into one of the Southeastern Conference’s top backs. Toefield tied an SEC record with 19 rushing touchdowns in `01 and finished the year with 992 rushing yards on 230 carries en route to first-team all-SEC honors. The 2000 Freshman All-American ran for 475 yards in `02 despite missing four games due to a broken forearm. Domanick Davis proved to be the perfect complement to Toefield as he rushed for a team-high 931 yards and seven scores in `02. In `01, Davis recorded 406 yards and five TDs during the regular season and added 122 yards and a Sugar Bowl-record four rushing TDs in Toefield’s absence. Toefield (Jacksonville Jaguars) and Davis (Houston Texans) were both selected in the fourth round of the `03 NFL draft.

Haywood also was instrumental in developing Kevin Faulk and Rondell Mealey into two of the most productive running backs in school history. Faulk left LSU with virtually every rushing record, while Mealey capped his career ranked in the top 10 in both rushing yards and rushing scores. Both were selected in the NFL draft following their respective senior seasons. Faulk was chosen by the New England Patriots in the second round, while Mealey was drafted by the Green Bay Packers (seventh round).

As special teams coordinator, Haywood had LSU among the best in the SEC in nearly every statistical category. In `02, the Tigers led the SEC and ranked seventh nationally with a 24.1-yard kickoff return average and third in the league in punt returns (13.9-yard average). Led by punter Donnie Jones’ 44.0-yard average (fifth NCAA, second SEC), they also stood 12th nationally in net punting on the year. In 2001, LSU ranked eighth in the NCAA in net punting (39.6 avg.) and the Tigers were tops in the league in kickoff coverage, allowing just 15.2 yards per return. Individually, Davis earned second-team all-SEC honors after leading the league in punt returns (13.8 avg.).

Prior to his stint at LSU, Haywood was the position coach for three all-Mid-American Conference players at Ball State from 1993-94 – while helping the Cardinals claim the MAC crown in `93. Wide receiver Brian Oliver earned all-MAC honors and was tabbed the league’s freshman of the year in `93, and one year later, running backs Tony Nibbs and Michael Blair earned all-conference honors. He also served as the Cardinals’ co-special teams coordinator during his two seasons.

Haywood started his coaching career at Minnesota as a graduate assistant in 1988, then went to Army as an assistant coach from 1989-90. He coached the Cadets’ defensive backs his first year before mentoring the defensive ends in ’90 and also working both years with special teams. Haywood then moved to Ohio University in ’91 where he tutored outside linebackers and assisted with special teams for two seasons.

Born Michael Anthony Haywood on Feb. 26, 1964 in Houston, Texas, he played flanker during his freshman season at Notre Dame (started five games and caught 13 passes for 128 yards in ’82), then moved to cornerback where he was a significant contributor and starter in 1984-86 (13 career starts, 78 tackles, five interceptions, two blocked kicks).

IANELLO was named Wisconsin’s tight ends coach prior to the 2003 season following nine years on the Arizona football staff – all nine seasons as recruiting coordinator (1994-2002) and the last six as wide receivers coach.

Rob Ianello

He helped the Badgers to postseason bowl contests each of the last two years – including a 7-6 record and Music City Bowl appearance following the ’03 campaign and a 9-3 mark and Outback Bowl slot in ’04. Wisconsin in ’04 won its first nine games (tying a Badger record for consecutive wins) and ranked fourth in both national polls at that point (its highest ranking since 2000).

Promoted to the position of Arizona passing game coordinator just before coming to Wisconsin, Ianello coached `02 Pacific-10 receiving leader Bobby Wade, who caught 93 passes for 1,389 yards and eight touchdowns. Wade teamed with Andrae Thurman for 154 catches in 2002, the most in Arizona history by a receiving duo.

The Wildcats’ 1998 squad was 12-1, finished as the Pac-10 runnerup, ranked fourth nationally and defeated Nebraska in the Holiday Bowl. That team’s offense was the first in Pac-10 history to register five straight games of 500 yards or more of total offense. Arizona’s `99 offense ranked first in the Pac-10 and third nationally (Dennis Northcutt caught 88 passes, then a school record) at 472.9 yards per game.

Ianello was the on-campus recruiting coordinator at Wisconsin from 1990-91 and the recruiting coordinator for the Badgers from 1992-93. It was during those years that Wisconsin built its 1994 Rose Bowl and Big Ten Conference co-champion squad (the Badgers finished fifth in the final `93 CNN/USA Today poll).

Prior to joining Barry Alvarez’s first staff at Wisconsin, Ianello was assistant recruiting coordinator with head coach Bill Curry at Alabama in 1988-89 (the Crimson Tide shared the `89 Southeastern Conference title and earned a Sugar Bowl berth). That staff signed 17 of the eventual 22 starters on Alabama’s `92 national championship team.

Ianello was a graduate assistant for the Crimson Tide in 1987 on an Alabama team that earned a Hall of Fame Bowl invitation.

In 1999 Ianello was named one of the top 10 recruiters in the nation by ESPN.com and one of the top six recruiters in the country by The Sporting News.

Ianello was elected to the board of trustees of the American Football Coaches Association in January of `03 (the only assistant coach on the board). The board formulates policy and provides direction for the AFCA. Ianello also chairs the AFCA’s assistant coaches committee and is the general chairman of the AFCA’s all-division assistant coaches committee.

A native of Port Chester, N.Y., Robert S. Ianello is a 1987 graduate of The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., with a bachelor’s degree in English. He and his wife, the former Denise Dove (now in her second year as an assistant women’s basketball coach at Wisconsin after serving as associate head coach at Arizona), have one son, Zachary.

LATINA spent the last six seasons on Cutcliffe’s staff at Mississippi as offensive line coach and coordinated the Rebels’ highly-successful offense his last five years there.

John Latina

The 2003 Ole Miss offense he directed qualified as the most prolific in school history, as the Rebels set school records for points scored (442) and total offense (5,631) on their way to a final ranking of 13th in the AP poll. Ole Miss led the Southeastern Conference that season in passing offense (286.0), scoring (34.0) and total offense (433.2). Quarterback Eli Manning was the SEC Offensive Player of the Year and was the number-one overall pick in the NFL draft.

In addition, receiver Chris Collins and offensive guard Doug Buckles earned first-team all-SEC honors (Buckles added second-team all-league honors in ’04 – and guard Marcus Johnson also was a ’04 second-team pick). Three other Ole Miss players from that squad signed NFL contracts. There were two seasons during Latina’s stay at Ole Miss that the Rebel offensive line allowed the fewest quarterback sacks in the SEC.

Latina helped groom some of the best offensive linemen ever to play at Ole Miss. Center Ben Claxton was all-SEC and was a fifth-round draft pick by the Denver Broncos in 2003. He also developed tackle Terrence Metcalf into an All-America selection who was chosen the SEC’s Most Valuable Offensive Lineman in 2001 and was picked in the third round of the 2002 NFL draft.

Latina’s first season at Ole Miss in `99 saw three Rebels make all-SEC, including All-America accolades for tackle Todd Wade and Metcalf, while Claxton was chosen Freshman All-America. The Rebels finished 22nd in the final AP poll that season. During his tenure at Ole Miss, Latina coached 10 offensive linemen who went on to sign NFL contracts. Prior to joining the Ole Miss staff, Latina was an assistant coach at Clemson for five years (1994-98), working with the offensive line and helping teams to three bowl appearances. During his time with the Tigers, Latina coached six all-Atlantic Coast Conference offensive linemen and helped Clemson rank among the top two in the ACC in rushing from 1995-97.

A 1981 graduate of Virginia Tech (earning a bachelor of science degree in education, with a major in therapeutic recreation), Latina lettered four years as an offensive lineman for the Hokies. He joined the Virginia Tech coaching staff as a graduate assistant and helped lead the Hokies to the 1981 Peach Bowl. After spending one season (1982) as an assistant at Pittsburgh (the Panthers finished 10th nationally that season) under head coach Foge Fazio (later defensive coordinator at Notre Dame), Latina became the offensive line coach at Temple (1983-88) under head coach Bruce Arians. His offensive line blocked for first-team All-America tailback Paul Palmer, who led the nation in rushing in 1986. At Temple, Latina coached three players who were drafted by the NFL and four others who signed free-agent contracts. John Joseph Latina joined the Kansas State staff in 1989 as offensive line coach and running game coordinator. He spent five seasons with the Wildcats, where he coached two future NFL draft picks and five others who inked free-agent contracts. His ’93 Kansas State team won the Copper Bowl and finished 9-2-1 and 20th in the final AP poll. Born Sept. 18, 1957, the New Castle, Pa., native is married to the former Michele Veltre (also of New Castle) – and they are parents of two sons, John and Michael.

LEWIS finished his ninth season with the Miami Dolphins in `04 after being named defense nickel package coach in 1996. Lewis joined the NFL coaching ranks after 32 years (1963-94) of coaching at the collegiate level (including 13 bowl appearances). He coached his first four NFL seasons in Miami under head coach Jimmy Johnson, the last five under Dave Wannstedt.

Bill Lewis

Under Lewis, the Dolphins finished in the top eight in the NFL in pass defense six of the last seven seasons (second in 2004 at 162.0 yards per game), including a number-one ranking in 2001. He helped Miami qualify for the NFL playoffs in five of his first six seasons with the Dolphins, including Wild Card wins in three straight seasons from 1998 through 2000. Miami qualified as American Football Conference East champion in 2000.

Lewis spent 1995 as athletic director at The Marist School in Atlanta after three seasons as head coach at Georgia Tech from 1992-94. He also served in `95 as a color analyst that season on college football games for ESPN and espn2.

In his first season at Georgia Tech in ’92, the Yellow Jackets produced their first back-to-back wins over top 25 teams (Clemson and North Carolina State) in 25 years. That Tech squad was led by two first-team All-Americans – defensive tackle Coleman Rudolph (later a ’93 second-round NFL draft pick by the New York Jets) and kicker Scott Sisson. That ’92 unit also set a Georgia Tech season record for passing yards (2,590) – a mark that was topped by his third Yellow Jacket team in ’94 (at 2,702). His ’93 squad averaged 399.8 total yards per game (second all-time at that time in Tech annals).

Prior to his stint at Georgia Tech, Lewis served as head coach at East Carolina for three seasons (1989-91). Taking over a program that hadn’t had a winning season since ’83, in his first year he led the Pirates to an 11-1 record (their only loss came 38-31 to Illinois in the season opener), a victory in the Peach Bowl over North Carolina State following the `91 season (their first bowl appearance in 13 years) and a final ranking of ninth in the AP poll.

Lewis received 1991 national coach-of-the-year honors from the American Football Coaches Association, United Press International and Scripps-Howard. That ’91 Pirate squad ranked fifth nationally in passing and 12th in scoring, behind quarterback Jeff Blake and All-America linebacker Robert Jones. Following that ’91 campaign, Lewis accepted the Georgia Tech head coaching job, replacing the NFL-bound Bobby Ross.

Lewis began his coaching career with three seasons at East Stroudsburg (Pa.) State in 1963 (he also coached the East Stroudsburg baseball team in ’65) and made stops as defensive backs coach at:

— Pittsburgh (1966-68) under head coach Dave Hart (he later became athletic director at East Carolina and hired Lewis as his head coach in ’89),

–Wake Forest (1969-70) under head coach Cal Stoll (Wake won the Atlantic Coast Conference title in ’70),

— Georgia Tech (1971-72) under head coaches Bud Carson (’71) and Bill Fulcher (’72),

— and Arkansas (1973-76) under Hall of Fame coach Frank Broyles (the Razorbacks in ’75 finished seventh nationally in the AP poll and won the Cotton Bowl along with the Southwest Conference title). He coached alongside Jimmy Johnson at Arkansas.

During his initial stop at Georgia Tech in 1971-72 he coached three-time All-America defensive back Randy Rhino — and was part of a staff that eventually produced eight head coaches (including Steve Sloan and Jerry Glanville). The Yellow Jackets qualified for bowl games in both ’71 and ’72 (a Liberty Bowl victory).

Lewis became head coach at Wyoming in 1977 and spent three years at the helm of the Cowboys. He coached a pair of All-Americans there – linebacker Ken Fantetti and offensive tackle Dennis Baker – as well as 16 all-Western Athletic Conference picks.

He began a nine-year stint at Georgia in 1980 as defensive backs coach before occupying the job of defensive coordinator in each of his last eight seasons with the Bulldogs (his defense led the SEC in scoring defense and rushing defense in ’81 in his first season as coordinator). While in Athens, the Bulldogs won the 1980 national championship (capped by a Sugar Bowl win over Notre Dame) and during his nine years at the school, Georgia appeared in nine straight bowl games (four of them wins) and won three Southeastern Conference titles.

He coached 23 all-SEC honorees and seven All-Americans (including defensive backs Scott Woerner, Terry Hoage, John Little and Jeff Sanchez) at Georgia. Those nine seasons in Athens produced a combined 83-21-4 record, including a 43-4-1 record in his first four years at Georgia (the first three with Herschel Walker as tailback) in which the Bulldogs finished sixth or higher in the final polls all four times.

Lewis’ years as a collegiate head coach saw his teams combine for respective three-year marks of 14-20-1 at Wyoming, 21-12-1 at East Carolina and 11-19 at Georgia Tech, for a combined nine-season record of 46-51-2.

Lewis was a four-year letterman and senior-season captain as a football quarterback at East Stroudsburg (Pa.) State from 1959-62 and earned Little All-America honors during his playing days. He also played four years of baseball at East Stroudsburg as a pitcher and infielder. He was a three-year letterwinner in both baseball and football at Delhass High School in Bristol, Pa., twice earning all-county honors in both sports. Lewis spent two years in the Detroit Tigers’ minor-league system as a pitcher, reaching Class AA level and playing with many of the individuals who eventually helped the Tigers win the ’68 World Championship.

He received a bachelor’s degree in 1963 from East Stroudsburg in health and physical education and did work toward a master’s degree in the same field.

Born William J. Lewis on Aug. 5, 1941, in Philadelphia, Pa., he and his wife, the former Sandy Schmoyer of Pennesburg, Pa., have two sons, Mark and Geoff.

MINTER is regarded as one of the premier defensive coaches in the country and brings with him 10 years of head coaching experience at the major-college level, plus 10 additional seasons as a defensive coordinator at Notre Dame, South Carolina and Ball State.

Rick Minter

Minter produced major improvement in the South Carolina defense in 2004 under head coach Lou Holtz – as the Gamecocks ranked 20th nationally in total defense (315.18 yards per game) and 15th nationally in pass defense (177.27). Among his ’04 pupils was freshman free safety Ko Simpson, who earned second-team All-America honors and ranked third nationally in interceptions (with six).

During 10 seasons as head coach at Cincinnati (1994-2003) he led the Bearcats to four postseason bowl games and was the winningest coach in the program’s history. Minter’s 2002 team was co-champion of Conference USA. His ’97 team finished 8-4 after a Humanitarian Bowl victory over Utah State, marking the first bowl appearance for Cincinnati since 1951. Minter’s Bearcats had three straight seven-win campaigns from 2000-2002 – and all three seasons resulted in postseason bowl invitations.

In Minter’s second season at Cincinnati in ’95, the Bearcats’ Robert Tate led the nation in kickoff returns with a 34.3-yard average. In 2000, kicker Jonathan Ruffin became the program’s first consensus All-America selection, as Ruffin led the nation in field goals (made 26 of 29) and won the Lou Groza Award as the top kicker in the country. Minter’s nine seasons in Conference USA produced 26 first-team all-league selections for the Bearcats, including 11 picks on defense. It was during his two seasons with Holtz at Notre Dame (1992-93) that he earned a national reputation of being one of the top defensive minds in the country. The `93 Irish defense held nine of its 12 opponents under 100 yards rushing en route to an 11-1 season and runnerup finish in the national championship race. Notre Dame finished that season with the nation’s fourth-best rushing defense, with three of Minter’s defenders earning first-team All-America honors, including free safety Jeff Burris, cornerback Bobby Taylor and tackle Bryant Young.

The `92 Notre Dame defense allowed an average of 91 yards rushing and 277 total yards over the last nine games of the season, as the Irish posted a 10-1-1 mark, won the Cotton Bowl and was ranked fourth in the final national polls. That season also saw the Notre Dame defense finish ninth nationally in rushing defense (111.1), with cornerback Tom Carter earning All-America honors. During his two seasons at Notre Dame, Minter coached 18 defensive players who went on to play professionally in the NFL.

Prior to joining the Notre Dame staff, Minter served as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at Ball State for seven seasons, annually developing units that were ranked among the national leaders. The `91 Ball State squad was ranked ninth in the country in scoring defense, 11th in total defense and 16th in passing defense. A year earlier, in `90, the Cardinals were second in the nation in total defense, third in pass and scoring defense and 10th in rush defense. Ball State combined for a 28-15-2 mark his final four seasons in Muncie (1988-91), including a Mid-American Conference title and Raisin Bowl appearance in 1989 that marked the Cardinals’ first bowl participation in 22 years. During Minter’s seven seasons under head coach Paul Schudel, Ball State produced nine all-Mid-American Conference players on defense, including three-time MAC Defensive Player of the Year (1987-89) Gary Garnica.

Minter also has collegiate coaching experience at New Mexico State (linebackers in ’84), North Carolina State (outside linebackers in 1980-82 under head coach Monte Kiffin), Louisiana Tech (defensive ends in ’79) and Arkansas, where he was a graduate assistant under Holtz (helping the Razorbacks to nine wins, a number-11 final ranking and a Fiesta Bowl appearance in `78).

Born Richard Dale Minter on Oct. 4, 1954 in Nash, Texas, he was a graduate of Texas High School in Texarkana, Texas. He was a three-year starter at defensive end at Henderson State, where he earned both his bachelor’s (1977) and master’s degrees (’78) in education. Minter is the father of two sons, Josh and Jesse.

OLIVER spent 2003 and ’04 as defensive line coach under former Irish head coach Lou Holtz at South Carolina. He combined with Rick Minter to achieve a noteworthy turnaround on the defensive side in ’04 as the Gamecocks finished with a national ranking of 20th in total defense (315.18 yards per game).

Jerome Oliver

Oliver previously served on the staff of Air Force’s Fisher DeBerry for eight seasons from 1995 through 2002, helping the Falcons to five postseason bowl appearances including wins in the Oahu Bowl (1998) and the Silicon Valley Bowl (2000).

During Oliver’s eight years as defensive line coach at Air Force, the Falcons finished a combined 65-33 — and ended up 25th in the final USA Today/ ESPN poll in ’97 after finishing 10-3, then 10th in USA Today/ESPN in ’98 after finishing 12-1. Air Force in ’98 won the Western Athletic Conference Mountain Division title.

One of Oliver’s prize pupils, Bryce Fisher, earned Western Athletic Conference Mountain Division Defensive Player of the Year honors in `98. Fisher was also the team’s most outstanding player in the `97 Las Vegas Bowl, and was later drafted in the seventh round by the Buffalo Bills. Oliver also helped turn Shawn Thomas into one of the Academy’s best defenders. Thomas finished his career ranked fourth in school history in tackles for loss and quarterback sacks. In 2000, one of his players, Zach Johnson, was named all-conference and played in the East-West Shrine All-Star game. In addition to his work with the defensive line, Oliver also worked with the Falcon kickoff team as well as the extra point and field goal blocking units.

From 1991-94 Oliver served on the staff at Vanderbilt, where he helped the Commodore defense set school records for quarterback sacks in consecutive seasons. Vandy also lowered its team rushing yards allowed figure each of Oliver’s four seasons in Nashville under head coach Gerry DiNardo, a former Irish offensive lineman.

He began his coaching career in 1978 at Davison (Mich.) High School (near his hometown of Flint) where he coached the defensive backfield and wide receivers. He returned to his alma mater as a graduate assistant coach in 1979 and part-time coach in ’80 (working with the wide receivers, tight ends and offensive line) for head coach Jim Young – and helped the Boilers to wins in the Bluebonnet (’79) and Liberty (’80) Bowls and consecutive 10-2 and 9-3 marks. He then coached at Eastern Michigan (offensive backfield and receivers) from 1981-82 under former Irish assistant Mike Stock and Northeastern (outside linebackers) in 1983 under head coach Paul Pawlak.

Oliver coached Middie defensive linemen at the Naval Academy from 1984-86 under head coach Gary Tranquill. He also has coaching experience at Grand Valley State (defensive line in 1988 under head coach Tom Beck, who later became running back coach at Notre Dame in 1991) and Western Illinois (inside linebackers in 1989 and `90). Born Jerome Wayne Oliver on July 17, 1955, in Flint, Mich., he’s a 1978 graduate of Purdue University (physical education and health), where he lettered three years in football as a wide receiver (he caught 15 career passes) and also spent one season as a reserve on the Boiler basketball squad.

Oliver was a standout athlete at Southwestern High School, earning all-city and all-district accolades in both football and basketball. He was the city’s athlete of the year in 1973 and captained teams in football, basketball and baseball.

He is father of a daughter, Candace, and a son, Justin.

PARMALEE in 2004 finished his third season as a member of the Dolphins’ staff and his first as Miami tight end coach. He spent the `03 season as an assistant special teams/offensive assistant with the Dolphins. He embarked on his NFL coaching career in 2002 as Miami’s assistant special teams coach after a nine-year playing career, including the first seven (1992-98) with the Dolphins and the final two (1999-2000) with the New York Jets.

Bernie Parmalee

He played from 1992-95 under legendary Dolphin coach Don Shula, 1996-98 with Miami under Jimmy Johnson and 1999-2000 with the Jets under Bill Parcells and Al Groh, respectively (Charlie Weis was the Jets’ offensive coordinator in ’99).

In ’02, Parmalee helped the Dolphins rank second in the American Football Conference in kickoff return average (23.5), while Miami’s opponents finished with the fourth-lowest punt return average (7.0) in the AFC. Meanwhile, kicker Olindo Mare connected on 24 of 31 field goals. In ’03, Miami’s punt-return defense again rated among the AFC leaders (tied for second at 6.4). Under Parmalee’s tutelage in ’04, third-year Dolphin Randy McMichael ranked among the league leaders in receptions by a tight end with 73 for 791 yards and four TDs.

A featured running back, starting fullback (four games in ’97), third-down back and special teams stalwart at different times during his professional career, Parmalee played in 134 NFL games, starting 26 of them (10 in ’94, 12 in ’95 and four in ’97, all for the Dolphins). He rushed for 2,179 career yards and 17 touchdowns on 567 carries, caught 168 career passes for 1,485 yards and three TDs and returned 16 career kickoffs for an 18.1-yard average.

Parmalee originally made Miami’s roster as an undrafted rookie free agent in 1992 after sitting out of football in `91. In his seven seasons with the club, he amassed 1,959 yards rushing and 15 TDs on 513 attempts, and totaled 144 receptions for 1,306 yards and three scores. His rushing figure currently is 12th on the Dolphins’ all-time chart.

He led the team in rushing two straight years — with 868 yards (216 attempts, 6 TDs) in `94 for a Dolphin team that finished 10-6, won the AFC Eastern Division title and won a wild-card playoff game against Kansas City, then with 878 yards (236 attempts, 9 TDs) in ’95 on a Miami team that finished 9-7 and earned a wild-card playoff slot. He also caught a career-high 39 passes for 345 yards and a TD in ’95, after grabbing 34 for 249 yards and a score in ’94. Parmalee ranked eighth in the AFC in rushing in ’94.

His single-game high of 150 rushing yards came against the Los Angeles Raiders in ’94 (on a career-high 30 attempts) – and he added 123 yards a week later versus New England to set a Dolphin record for combined rushing yards in consecutive games. He notched three rushing TDs in a game against Detroit in ’94. Three of his 100-yard rushing efforts came in ’94, the other three in `95. He ranked as the NFL’s most improved running back in ’94, going from 14 rushing yards in ’93 to 868 in ’94.

In addition, Parmalee established himself as one of the league’s premier special teams players during his tenure, recording 122 tackles on coverage units, including 31 in 1997 and 30 in 1998. He served as Dolphins special teams captain in ’97 and ’98.

Parmalee was a four-year starter (1987-90) as a running back under coach Paul Schudel at Ball State where he remains the Cardinals’ all-time leading rusher with 3,483 yards and 26 TDs. He also caught 96 career passes for 812 yards and three TDs. He earned second-team all-Mid-American Conference honors as a senior in `90 when he rushed for 1,010 yards and caught 30 passes. The best of his 16 career 100-yard rushing days came as a senior when he gained 169 yards against Illinois State.

He actually became the Ball State career rushing leader as a junior when he carried for 662 yards and five TDs. Parmalee also rushed for 1,064 yards and 13 TDs as a freshman when he was named the MAC freshman of the year. He earned his degree in business administration from the Muncie, Ind., school in 1991.

A native of Jersey City, N.J., Bernard Parmalee lettered in football (once) and baseball (three times) at Lincoln (N.J.) High School. Born Sept. 16, 1967, he and his wife, Angela, are parents of a daughter, Nakia Marie, and two sons, Tre Bernard and Torian.

POLIAN spent 2004 as running backs coach and recruiting coordinator at Central Florida under head coach George O’Leary. In ’04, he tutored senior running back Alex Haynes, who became the Golden Knights’ all-time leading rusher -finishing with 742 attempts for 3,356 rushing yards and 27 TDs, to go with a record 16 career 100-yard games.

Brian Polian

He previously served three years at the University of Buffalo as running backs coach and special teams coordinator. In `02, his work with tailback Aaron Leeper earned Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year honors for Leeper, the first major award won by a Buffalo player since the Bulls joined the MAC in 1999. In `01, he saw placekicker Dallas Pelz set a school record by booting nine straight field goals while going 12 of 18 overall.

Polian returned for his second stint at Buffalo after spending the previous two seasons at Baylor where he coached strongside linebackers as a defensive graduate assistant and served as special teams assistant.

Polian, twice an all-Western New York player at St. Francis High School, had previously coached at Buffalo during the `98 season when he served as tight ends and assistant offensive line coach. Prior to joining the Buffalo staff, Polian served as offensive graduate assistant at Michigan State as the Spartans finished 24th in the nation and played in the Aloha Bowl.

A graduate of John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio, Polian earned a bachelor’s degree in history in `97. He earned a master’s degree in education in 2000 from Baylor. He lettered three years at linebacker at John Carroll and was named to the all-Ohio Athletic Conference team in `96. Polian helped lead the 1994 and ’96 teams to top 10 finishes in the Division III rankings.

Born Brian Stewart Polian on Dec. 22, 1974, in the Bronx, N.Y., he’s married to the former Laura Maggiotto. His father Bill is the current president of the NFL Indianapolis Colts.

The David Cutcliffe FileYear    School/Team                 Assignment1976    Banks (Ala.) High School            Assistant Coach1977    Banks (Ala.) High School            Assistant Coach1978    Banks (Ala.) High School            Assistant Coach1979    Banks (Ala.) High School            Assistant Coach1980    Banks (Ala.) High School (7-3-1)        Head Coach1981    Banks (Ala.) High School (10-1)         Head Coach1982    Tennessee (6-5-1, Peach Bowl)           Part-Time Assistant Coach1983    Tennessee (9-3, Citrus Bowl champ)      Tight Ends1984    Tennessee (7-4-1, Sun Bowl)         Tight Ends1985    Tennessee (9-1-2, Sugar Bowl champ, #4)     Tight Ends1986    Tennessee (7-5, Liberty Bowl champ)     Tight Ends1987    Tennessee (10-2-1, Peach Bowl champ, #14)   Tight Ends1988    Tennessee                   Tight Ends1989    Tennessee (11-1, Cotton Bowl champ, #5)     Running Backs1990    Tennessee (9-2-2, Sugar Bowl champ, #8)     Quarterbacks1991    Tennessee (9-3, Fiesta Bowl, #14)       QBs/Passing Game Coordinator1992    Tennessee (9-3, Hall of Fame Bowl champ, #12)   QBs/Passing Game Coordinator1993    Tennessee (10-2, Citrus Bowl, #12)      Asst. Head Coach/QBs/Off. Coord.1994    Tennessee (8-4, Gator Bowl champ, #22)      Asst. Head Coach/QBs/Off. Coord.1995    Tennessee (11-1, Citrus Bowl champ, #3)     Asst. Head Coach/QBs/Off. Coord.1996    Tennessee (10-2, Citrus Bowl champ, #9)     Asst. Head Coach/QBs/Off. Coord.1997    Tennessee (11-2, Orange Bowl, #7)       Asst. Head Coach/QBs/Off. Coord.1998    Tennessee (13-0, #1)                Asst. Head Coach/QBs/Off. Coord.1998    Ole Miss (Independence Bowl champ)      Head Coach1999    Ole Miss (8-4, Independence Bowl champ, #22)    Head Coach2000    Ole Miss (7-5, Music City Bowl)         Head Coach2001    Ole Miss (7-4)                  Head Coach2002    Ole Miss (7-6, Independence Bowl champ)     Head Coach2003    Ole Miss (10-3, Cotton Bowl champ, #13)     Head Coach2004    Ole Miss                    Head Coach(numbers in parentheses indicate final season ranking in Associated Press poll)
The Mike Haywood FileYear    School/Team                 Assignment1988    Minnesota                   Graduate Assistant1989    Army (6-5)                  Defensive Backs/Special Teams1990    Army (6-5)                  Defensive Ends/Spec. Teams Coord.1991    Ohio                        Outside LBs/Special Teams Asst.1992    Ohio                        Outside LBs/Special Teams Asst.1993    Ball State (8-3-1, Las Vegas Bowl)      Receivers/Co-Special Teams Coord.1994    Ball State (5-5-1)              RBs/Co-Special Teams Coordinator1995    LSU (7-4-1, Independence Bowl champ)        Running Backs1996    LSU (10-2, Peach Bowl champ, #12)       Running Backs1997    LSU (9-3, Independence Bowl champ, #13)     RBs/Special Teams Coordinator1998    LSU                         RBs/Special Teams Coordinator1999    LSU                         Running Backs2000    LSU (8-4, Peach Bowl champ, #22)        Running Backs2001    LSU (10-3, Sugar Bowl champ, #7)        RBs/Special Teams Coordinator2002    LSU (8-5, Cotton Bowl)              RBs/Special Teams Coordinator2003    Texas (10-3, Holiday Bowl, #12)         RBs/Co-Special Teams Coordinator2004    Texas (11-1, Rose Bowl champ, #6)       Recruiting Coordinator/RBs/Co-Special Teams Coordinator(numbers in parentheses indicate final season ranking in Associated Press poll)
The Rob Ianello FileYear    School/Team                 Assignment1987    Alabama (7-5, Hall of Fame Bowl)        Graduate Assistant1988    Alabama (9-3, Sun Bowl champ, #17)      Assistant Recruiting Coordinator1989    Alabama (10-2, Sugar Bowl, #9)          Assistant Recruiting Coordinator1990    Wisconsin                   On-Campus Recruiting Coordinator1991    Wisconsin                   On-Campus Recruiting Coordinator1992    Wisconsin                       Recruiting Coordinator1993    Wisconsin (10-1-1, Rose Bowl champ, #6) Recruiting Coordinator1994    Arizona (8-4, Freedom Bowl, #20)        Recruiting Coordinator1995    Arizona (6-5)                   Recruiting Coordinator1996    Arizona                     Recruiting Coordinator1997    Arizona (7-5, Insight.com Bowl champ)       Wide Receivers/Recruiting Coord.1998    Arizona (12-1, Holiday Bowl champ, #4)      Wide Receivers/Recruiting Coord.1999    Arizona (6-6)                   Wide Receivers/Recruiting Coord.2000    Arizona                     Wide Receivers/Recruiting Coord.2001    Arizona                     Wide Receivers/Recruiting Coord.2002    Arizona                     Wide Receivers/Recruiting Coord.2003    Wisconsin (7-6, Music City Bowl)        Tight Ends2004    Wisconsin (9-3, Outback Bowl, #16)      Tight Ends(numbers in parentheses indicate final season ranking in Associated Press poll)
The John Latina FileYear    School/Team                 Assignment1979    Virginia Tech                   Undergraduate Assistant1980    Virginia Tech (8-4, Peach Bowl)         Undergraduate Assistant1981    Virginia Tech (7-4)             Graduate Assistant1982    Pittsburgh (9-3, Cotton Bowl, #10)      Tight Ends1983    Temple                      Offensive Line1984    Temple (6-5)                    Offensive Line1985    Temple                      Offensive Line1986    Temple                      Offensive Line1987    Temple                      Offensive Line1988    Temple                      Offensive Line1989    Kansas State                    Off. Line/Running Game Coord.1990    Kansas State                    Off. Line/Running Game Coord.1991    Kansas State (7-4)              Off. Line/Running Game Coord.1992    Kansas State                    Off. Line/Running Game Coord.1993    Kansas State (9-2-1, Copper Bowl champ, #20)    Off. Line/Running Game Coord.1994    Clemson                     Offensive Line1995    Clemson (8-4, Gator Bowl)           Offensive Line1996    Clemson (7-5, Peach Bowl)           Offensive Line1997    Clemson (7-5, Peach Bowl)           Offensive Line1998    Clemson                     Offensive Line1999    Ole Miss (8-4, Independence Bowl champ, #22)    Offensive Line2000    Ole Miss (7-5, Music City Bowl)         Offensive Coordinator/Off. Line2001    Ole Miss (7-4)                  Offensive Coordinator/Off. Line2002    Ole Miss (7-6, Independence Bowl champ)     Offensive Coordinator/Off. Line2003    Ole Miss (10-3, Cotton Bowl champ, #13)     Offensive Coordinator/Off. Line2004    Ole Miss                    Offensive Coordinator/Off. Line(numbers in parentheses indicate final season ranking in Associated Press poll)
The Bill Lewis FileYear    School/Team                     Assignment1963    East Stroudsburg State                  QBs/Receivers/Secondary1964    East Stroudsburg State                  QBs/Receivers/Secondary1965    East Stroudsburg State                  QBs/Receivers/Secondary1966    Pittsburgh                      Defensive Backs1967    Pittsburgh                      Defensive Backs1968    Pittsburgh                      Defensive Backs1969    Wake Forest                         Defensive Backs1970    Wake Forest (6-5)                   Defensive Backs1971    Georgia Tech (6-6, Peach Bowl)              Defensive Backs1972    Georgia Tech (7-4-1, Liberty Bowl champ, #20)       Defensive Backs1973    Arkansas (5-5-1)                    Defensive Backs1974    Arkansas (6-4-1)                    Defensive Backs1975    Arkansas (10-2, Cotton Bowl champ, #7)          Defensive Backs1976    Arkansas (5-5-1)                    Defensive Backs1977    Wyoming                         Head Coach1978    Wyoming                         Head Coach1979    Wyoming                         Head Coach1980    Georgia (12-0, Sugar Bowl champ, #1)            Defensive Backs1981    Georgia (10-2, Sugar Bowl, #6)              Defensive Coordinator/DBs1982    Georgia (11-1, Sugar Bowl, #4)              Defensive Coordinator/DBs1983    Georgia (10-1-1, Cotton Bowl champ, #4)         Defensive Coordinator/DBs1984    Georgia (7-4-1, Citrus Bowl)                Defensive Coordinator/DBs1985    Georgia (7-3-2, Sun Bowl)               Defensive Coordinator/DBs1986    Georgia (8-4, Hall of Fame Bowl)            Defensive Coordinator/DBs1987    Georgia (9-3, Liberty Bowl champ, #13)          Defensive Coordinator/DBs1988    Georgia (9-3, Gator Bowl champ, #15)            Defensive Coordinator/DBs1989    East Carolina (5-5-1)                   Head Coach1990    East Carolina                       Head Coach1991    East Carolina (11-1, Peach Bowl champ, #9)      Head Coach1992    Georgia Tech                        Head Coach1993    Georgia Tech                        Head Coach1994    Georgia Tech                        Head Coach1995    The Marist School (Ga.)                 Director of Athletics1996    Miami Dolphins (8-8)                    Defensive Nickel Package1997    Miami Dolphins (9-7, NFL Wild Card qualifier)       Defensive Nickel Package1998    Miami Dolphins (10-6, NFL Divisional qualifier)     Defensive Nickel Package1999    Miami Dolphins (9-7, NFL Divisional qualifier)      Defensive Nickel Package2000    Miami Dolphins (11-5, NFL Divisional qualifier)     Defensive Nickel Package2001    Miami Dolphins (11-5, NFL Wild Card qualifier)      Defensive Nickel Package2002    Miami Dolphins (9-7)                    Defensive Nickel Package2003    Miami Dolphins (10-6)                   Defensive Nickel Package2004    Miami Dolphins                      Defensive Nickel Package(numbers in parentheses indicate final season ranking in Associated Press poll)
The Rick Minter FileYear    School/Team                 Assignment1977    Henderson State                 Graduate Assistant/Linebackers1978    Arkansas (9-2-1, Fiesta Bowl, #11)      Graduate Assistant/Linebackers/DBs1979    Louisiana Tech                  Defensive Ends1980    North Carolina State (6-5)          Outside Linebackers1981    North Carolina State                Outside Linebackers1982    North Carolina State (6-5)          Outside Linebackers1984    New Mexico State                Linebackers1985    Ball State                  Asst. Head Coach/Def. Coordinator1986    Ball State (6-5)                Asst. Head Coach/Def. Coordinator1987    Ball State                  Asst. Head Coach/Def. Coordinator1988    Ball State (8-3)                Asst. Head Coach/Def. Coordinator1989    Ball State (7-3-2, Raisin Bowl)         Asst. Head Coach/Def. Coordinator1990    Ball State (7-4)                Asst. Head Coach/Def. Coordinator1991    Ball State (6-5)                Asst. Head Coach/Def. Coordinator1992    Notre Dame (10-1-1, Cotton Bowl champ, #4)  Defensive Coordinator/Inside LBs1993    Notre Dame (11-1, Cotton Bowl champ, #2)    Defensive Coordinator/Inside LBs1994    Cincinnati                  Head Coach1995    Cincinnati (6-5)                Head Coach1996    Cincinnati (6-5)                Head Coach1997    Cincinnati (8-4, Humanitarian Bowl champ)   Head Coach1998    Cincinnati                  Head Coach1999    Cincinnati                  Head Coach2000    Cincinnati (7-5, Motor City Bowl)       Head Coach2001    Cincinnati (7-5, Motor City Bowl)       Head Coach2002    Cincinnati (7-7, New Orleans Bowl)      Head Coach2003    Cincinnati                  Head Coach2004    South Carolina (6-5)                Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers(numbers in parentheses indicate final season ranking in Associated Press poll)
The Jappy Oliver FileYear    School/ Team                    Assignment1978    Davison (Mich.) High School         Defensive Backs/Wide Receivers1979    Purdue (10-2, Bluebonnet Bowl champ, #10)   Graduate Assistant/Offensive Line1980    Purdue (9-3, Liberty Bowl champ, #17)       Part-Time Assistant (WRs, TEs)1981    Eastern Michigan                Offensive Backfield1982    Eastern Michigan                Offensive Backfield/Receivers1983    Northeastern (6-4-1)                Outside Linebackers1984    Navy                        Defensive Line1985    Navy                        Defensive Line1986    Navy                        Defensive Line1988    Grand Valley State (7-4)            Defensive Line1989    Western Illinois                Inside Linebackers1990    Western Illinois                Inside Linebackers1991    Vanderbilt                  Defensive Line1992    Vanderbilt                  Defensive Line1993    Vanderbilt                  Defensive Line1994    Vanderbilt                  Linebackers1995    Air Force (8-5, Copper Bowl)            Defensive Line1996    Air Force (6-5)                 Defensive Line1997    Air Force (10-3, Las Vegas Bowl)        Defensive Line1998    Air Force (12-1, Oahu Bowl champ, #13)      Defensive Line1999    Air Force (6-5)                 Defensive Line2000    Air Force (9-3, Silicon Valley Bowl champ)  Defensive Line2001    Air Force (6-6)                 Defensive Line2002    Air Force (8-5, San Francisco Bowl)     Defensive Line2003    South Carolina                  Defensive Line2004    South Carolina (6-5)                Defensive Line(numbers in parentheses indicate final season ranking in Associated Press poll)
The Bernie Parmalee FileYear    School/Team                 Assignment2002    Miami Dolphins (9-7)                Assistant Special Teams2003    Miami Dolphins (10-6)               Asst. Special Teams/Offensive Asst.2004    Miami Dolphins                  Tight Ends
The Brian Polian FileYear    School/Team                 Assignment1997    Michigan State (7-5, Aloha Bowl)        Graduate Asst. (Offense)/TEs, OL1998    Buffalo                     Tight Ends/Assistant Offensive Line1999    Baylor                      Grad. Asst. (Def.)/Spec. Teams Asst.2000    Baylor                      Grad. Asst, (Def.)/Spec. Teams Asst.2001    Buffalo                     Running Backs/Spec. Teams Coord.2002    Buffalo                     Running Backs/Spec. Teams Coord.2003    Buffalo                     Running Backs/Spec. Teams Coord.2004    Central Florida                 Running Backs/Recruiting Coord.