George DeLeone
Year at Syracuse: 20
College: Connecticut, 1970; Southern Connecticut, 1971 MA
High School: Fairfield Prep
Born: May 9, 1948, New Haven, Conn.
George DeLeone spent 20 seasons with the Orange. In 2003, DeLeone's offense produced a 1,000-yard rusher for the fourth consecutive season. Walter Reyes gained 1,347 yards, the second-best single-season rushing total in SU history. The season before, Reyes accumulated 1,135 yards, which ranks fifth on SU’s record list. In 2001 James Mungro compiled 1,170 rushing yards, one year after Dee Brown amassed 1,031 yards in 2000.
DeLeone returned to the Syracuse staff in January 1998 after serving as the offensive line coach for the San Diego Chargers in 1997. He was SU’s offensive coordinator for nine years (1987-96). DeLeone first joined the SU football program in 1985. Prior to the 1999 season DeLeone moved back to the offense as SU’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, in addition to his duties as associate head coach. DeLeone was on the opposite side of the ball in 1998 as SU’s associate head coach and defensive coordinator.
Teaching Offensive Success
During his tenure as SU’s offensive coordinator, DeLeone built a pro-option attack that still ranks as one of the most balanced and productive offenses in the country. In that span, SU earned seven bowl bids and had quarterbacks who ranked among the national leaders in passing every year and in the top six four times. In 1993, Marvin Graves re-wrote the quarterback’s section of the SU record book, and DeLeone helped point former SU standout Donovan McNabb in the same direction.
Building A Coaching Resume
DeLeone came to Syracuse from Holy Cross, where he was the offensive coordinator for one season in 1984. He started his coaching career in 1970 at Southern Connecticut State as an offensive line coach. He was promoted to head coach in 1976, a spot DeLeone held through 1979. DeLeone moved to the Division I level in 1980, coaching under Frank Burns at Rutgers from 1980-83. At RU he served as the Scarlet Knights defensive coordinator.
A native of New Haven, Conn., DeLeone received his bachelor’s degree in physical education from Connecticut in 1970 and his master’s in education from Southern Connecticut State in 1971.
The DeLeone Family
DeLeone and his wife, Roberta, have two sons, Andy and Mark.
DeLeone's Coaching History
Southern Connecticut State - Head Coach (1976-79); Offensive Line (1970-75)
Rutgers University - Defensive Coordinator (1980-83)
Holy Cross - Offensive Coordinator (1984)
San Diego Chargers - Offensive Line Coach (1997)
Syracuse University - Associate Head Coach/Offensive Line (2004-04); Associate Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line (2000-03); Associate Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/ Quarterbacks (1999); Associate Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator (1998); Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line (1987-1996); Offensive Line (1985-86)
DeLeone's Success Stories
Bowl Games
1988 Sugar; 1989 Hall of Fame; 1989 Peach; 1990 Aloha; 1992 Hall of Fame; 1993 Fiesta; 1996 Gator; 1996 Liberty; 1999 Orange; 1999 Music City; 2001 Insight.com
Championship Teams
1987, 1992 Lambert Trophy (Syracuse); 1996, 1998 BIG EAST Championships (Syracuse)
Players in the Pros
Mark Baniewicz, Mathieu Beaudoin, Bob Brotzki, John Flannery, Scott Kiernan, Doug Marrone, Jeff Pilon, Melvin Tuten, Brent Warren, Dave Wohlabaugh
