Chris Rippon
Years at Syracuse: 1993-2004
College: Southern Connecticut State, 1982; Western Connecticut State, 1985 MA
High School: Xavier (NY)
Born: September 20, 1960, Yonkers, N.Y.
Chris Rippon led the Orange special teams unit in 2004, a position he held for Syracuse from 1995 to 1998 when the Orange was nationally ranked in several categories. In addition, Rippon coached the safeties from 2003-04.
Improving SafetyIn 2003, Rippon’s first season working with the safeties, strong safety Diamond Ferri set the SU single-season record for solo tackles by a defensive back (75) and free safety Anthony Smith recorded five interceptions. Smith’s theft total was the most by an SU player since 1999.
Coordination
From 1999 to 2003 Rippon served as SU’s defensive coordinator. His 1999 unit was one of the nation’s top-15 defenses throughout the season. The following year Syracuse ranked in the top 25 nationally in a number of defensive categories. The 2001 defense accumulated 40 quarterback sacks, the second most in SU history, and 30 turnovers, the most takeaways during the tenure of head coach Paul Pasqualoni.
Prior to that responsibility, Rippon was SU’s linebackers coach from 1993 through 2000. Rippon mentored the inside linebackers in 1993, the outside linebackers from 1994 to 1997 and both spots from 1998 to 2000.
Special Teams Shine
In Rippon’s four seasons as SU’s special teams coordinator, the Orange excelled. Three of Rippon’s pupils – Marvin Harrison, Quinton Spotwood and Kevin Johnson – earned All-America honors as return specialists. In 1998, Johnson took two kickoffs in for touchdowns, including one for 100 yards. Johnson, who was an All-BIG EAST selection at kick returner and wide receiver, holds the SU and BIG EAST records for the most career kickoff returns for scores with four.
In 1997, SU had one of its most outstanding special teams units in school history. Spotwood tied an NCAA record with four punts returned for touchdowns, and Johnson tied an SU record with two kickoffs returned for touchdowns. Spotwood and Johnson were the league Special Teams Player of the Year and All-BIG EAST selections at both wide receiver and punt returner in 1997 and 1998, respectively.
The Start at Southern
Rippon is a 1982 graduate of Southern Connecticut State, where he played football and earned a degree in physical education. He was recruited by SU’s current offensive coordinator, George DeLeone, and started in the secondary for three seasons, with Pasqualoni working as his position coach. Rippon received his master’s degree in agency counseling from Western Connecticut State in 1985.
A Coaching Career
After graduating, Rippon joined Pasqualoni’s staff as a graduate assistant at Western Connecticut State. He was promoted to defensive coordinator and assistant director of athletics in 1984 and then, when Pasqualoni left to join the SU staff in 1987, Rippon was elevated to the head coaching spot. After three campaigns he moved on to Boston University for three years as defensive coordinator.
The Rippon Family
Rippon and his wife, Lisa, have four children – sons, Christopher and Matthew, and twin daughters, Jillian and Samantha.
Rippon's Coaching History
Western Connecticut State - Graduate Assistant (1982-83); Defensive Coordinator (1984-87); Head Coach (1988-90)
Boston University - Defensive Coordinator (1990-92)
Syracuse University - Special Teams (1995-98; 2004); Safeties (2003-04); Defensive Coordinator (1999-2003); Linebackers (1998-2000); Outside Linebackers (1994-1997); Inside Linebackers (1993)
Rippon's Success Stories
Bowl Games
1996 Gator; 1996 Liberty; 1998 Fiesta; 1999 Orange; 1999 Music City; 2001 Insight.com
Championship Teams
1985 New England Football Conference (Western Connecticut); 1996, 1997, 1998 BIG EAST Championships (Syracuse)
Players in the Pros
Kevin Abrams, Keith Bulluck, Morlon Greenwood, Marvin Harrison, Nate Hemsley, Kevin Johnson, Tebucky Jones, Olindo Mare, Kevin Mitchell, Antwaune Ponds
