Veteran coach Bob Wylie will coach the Orange offensive line.
Wylie Introduced as SU's Offensive Line Coach
1/22/2005 2:27:46 PM | Football
Syracuse University head football coach Greg Robinson hired another veteran coach with an NFL history for his Orange coaching staff, naming Bob Wylie SU’s offensive line coach. Wylie and Robinson coached together with the New York Jets in 1990-91 when Wylie was the Jets tight end coach and Robinson was the team’s defensive line coach. Wylie coached NFL Hall of Fame honoree Anthony Munoz during his last season in the NFL at Tampa Bay and has coached four Pro Bowl selections and three Pro Bowl alternates.
“Bob is regarded by many in our profession as one of the great teachers of offensive line play,” Robinson said. “He has a wealth of expertise in the fundamentals and techniques of the position. Bob has come up through the ranks of coaching from Pop Warner to the NFL. I worked with Bob in New York with the Jets and know how committed he is to developing the players he coaches.”
A 14-year NFL coach and a 32 year veteran of the gridiron sidelines, Wylie owns a resume that boasts the unique distinction of having coached five levels of football, including Pop Warner, junior high school, high school, college, and professional. In 2004 Wylie coached the offensive line for the Arizona Cardinals. He coached the offensive line with the Chicago Bears from 1999-2003. Wylie’s 2001 Bear offensive line led the league in fewest quarterback sacks allowed, surrendering a league-low 17 — more than 21 below the NFL average (38.6) and 17 fewer than the team allowed in 2000 (34). His offensive line paved the way for running back Anthony Thomas to be named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year — the first Chicago running back to achieve the honor since Gale Sayers in 1965. Thomas’ 1,000-yard rushing season marked the seventh time Wylie’s offensive line has produced a 1,000-yard rusher.
“I bring a wealth of knowledge about football from my coaching career, especially from my 14 years in the NFL, where all you do all day is coach football,” Wylie said. “Syracuse is a school with a winning football history. The administration is committed to the program and its success. I am happy to be back in the college setting. When I coached at the University of Cincinnati it was the most fun I have had because the young players were anxious to learn so they listened and absorbed everything.”
Wylie began his coaching career in 1980 as offensive line coach at Brown (1980–82), served in the same capacity at Holy Cross for two years (1983–84), then was named offensive coordinator at Ohio University from 1985–87.
After two seasons as the offensive line coach at Colorado State (1988–89), Wylie headed to the NFL to begin his professional coaching career as tight ends coach for the N.Y. Jets (1990–91) and then spent four seasons as offensive line coach at Tampa Bay (1992–95). In 1996, he returned to the college ranks as offensive line coach at the University of Cincinnati where they led Conference USA in rushing (181.4 yards-per-game) as four Bearcat linemen earned post-season honors, including current New York Jets starting tackle Jason Fabini.
“Bob Wylie is an outstanding offensive line coach,” said Buffalo Bills offensive line coach Jim McNally. “That is his area of expertise. He has also coached tight ends, so he can certainly help with the overall game plan. He is very bright and meticulous. He works all the time. I guess he is kind of a perfectionist. He is a great guy.”
Wylie returned to the professional sidelines in 1997 for a two-year stint as tight ends coach with the Cincinnati Bengals as running back Corey Dillon rushed for more than 1,000 yards each season. In 1999 he joined Dick Jauron’s staff with the Chicago Bears.
“Bob is unique and he is a very bright man,” said Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Dick Jauron. “He is dedicated to what he does which is coach the offensive line. And he’s as good at it as anybody. He has a smart approach. He is productive, detailed and entertaining. He is demanding, but his players respond because of his attitude.”
A native of West Warwick, Rhode Island, Wylie was a teacher and administrator in his hometown’s school system from 1973–80 prior to entering the coaching arena. He played linebacker at a school in Colorado for three years then transferred to Roger Williams (R.I.) College in 1971 where he earned a degree in American studies.
A native of West Warwick, RI, Wylie has one daughter, Jennifer.
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