Former Rutgers Football Assistant Coach Who Worked With Undefeated 1976 Squad Honored By Pro Football HOF

Former Rutgers line of defense coach/ defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell, who labored beneath head coach Frank Burns in the course of the 1976 undefeated season, was honored by the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame as part of their 2026 “Awards of Excellence.” He was certainly one of three coaches to obtain the distinction this week. Cottrell is taken into account a key innovator of the 3-4 protection.

The Awards of Excellence have been established in 2022 to honor those that have considerably impacted the sport in behind-the-scenes roles. This yr’s recipients might be honored on June 24-Twenty fifth in Canton, Ohio.

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Cottrell bought his begin teaching after enjoying skilled soccer for a quick stint with the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and the CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers within the late 60s. He served as an assistant soccer coach at his alma mater, Delaware Valley, for one season earlier than becoming a member of Burns’ employees at Rutgers in 1973. Throughout his eight seasons on the Banks, he helped the Scarlet Knights to eight straight successful seasons and an ideal 11-o file in 1976. That squad’s protection led the nation in scoring protection, whole protection, and dashing protection, holding eight opponents beneath 10 factors with 4 shutouts.

Cottrell additionally helped Rutgers attain their first bowl recreation at school historical past, the Backyard State Bowl. He was promoted to defensive coordinator in 1980 earlier than leaving to turn out to be the defensive coordinator of the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs in 1981-1982. He returned to Rutgers in 1983 to as soon as once more be the group’s defensive coordinator earlier than leaving to be the USFL’s New Jersey Generals line of defense coach for 2 seasons. Three Rutgers defenders earned all-American standing throughout his two years because the defensive coordinator.

Among the most notable defensive linemen in Rutgers historical past discovered their commerce beneath Cottrell. These names embody Nate Toran, Dan Grey, John Alexander, and Dino Mangiero. Toran turned the Knights’ all-time sack chief over his profession, ending his time at Rutgers with 52 sacks. Grey completed his profession in second place when it comes to all-time sacks with 39. All 4 defensive linemen earned All-American standing throughout their time at Rutgers, with Toran incomes it twice.

After his time teaching at Rutgers and with the Generals, Cottrell would transfer on to have an extended teaching profession within the NFL, serving a number of stints on the Buffalo Payments teaching employees in varied roles, serving as each a line of defense and linebackers coach for the then Phoenix Cardinals, earlier than turning into a defensive coordinator for the Jets and Vikings, earlier than ending his profession because the DC of the Chargers in 2007-2008.