Joe Pannunzio Named Tight Ends/Special Teams Coach

Feb. 22, 2006

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Joe Pannunzio has been named the new tight ends/special teams coach at the University of Miami. Pannunzio was the head coach at Murray State from 2000 to 2005 and was one of the most highly regarded tight ends/special teams coaches in the country during stints at Texas Christian, Minnesota, Mississippi and Auburn.

Pannunzio, 46, has coached for the last 25 years coaching in college football, steadily rising the ranks from a star player at Southern Colorado to head coach.

“Joe Pannunzio is an outstanding hire for us, and we’re really excited about what he brings to Miami,” said UM head coach Larry Coker. “He’s done a great job coaching tight ends at several universities, and he’s also been a head coach. Plus, he does a phenomenal job with special teams everywhere he’s been.”

Pannunzio said, “I am excited about the tradition here at Miami and the opportunity to be part of the Hurricane football family. I am impressed with the type of the student-athletes here. I am excited about the group of tight ends we have, led by Greg Olsen, who is a talented football player. And on special teams, I am fortunate to be able to work with players who have outstanding athletic ability. Special teams comes down to kids playing with effort and enthusiasm, and I’m sure we’ll get that out of these players.”

Pannunzio spent the last six years as the head coach at Murray State, where his teams finished 30-37. His teams won one Ohio Valley Conference title and advanced to the playoffs one time.

Prior to becoming a head coach, Pannunzio spent five years working for Tommy Tuberville at Mississppi and Auburn. Before that, he spent four years under Jim Wacker at Texas Christian and Minnesota. He also coached for seven years at Mesa (Colo.) College, appearing in the NAIA national championship game twice and leading the nation in total offense and scoring one time. His two stints at Mesa wrapped around two seasons at Kansas, where he worked under Mike Gottfried.

A native of Pueblo, Colo., Pannunzio was a standout quarterback at Southern Colorado, where he graduated with a degree in physical education. He was named honorable mention All-Conference and in 1980 led his team to a No. 9 ranking in NAIA Division I. He and his wife, Rita, have two daughters, Angela and Nico, and a son, Mario.

JOE PANNUNZIO’S COACHING CAREER