Steve Buratto
Encyclopedia
Steve Buratto is a football coach in the Canadian Football League
, currently the offensive line coach
for the Saskatchewan Roughriders
.
in Clarkston, Washington
, in 1961. A late bloomer, he did not make the varsity team until his senior year. He attended junior college at Columbia Basin College
for a year in Pasco, Washington
, then transferred to the University of Idaho
in Moscow
, recruited by Bud Riley
to play for head coach Dee Andros
. He redshirted
in 1962 and then was a center
for the Vandals
for three seasons, and played with Jerry Campbell
and Don Matthews
.
Not selected in the 1966 NFL Draft
, Buratto tried out with the Green Bay Packers
, then taught at Sandpoint High School
for a year, and was invited to try again with Green Bay in 1967
. After losing 25 pounds (11.3 kg) due to an intestinal virus, Buratto arrived at camp weakened and underweight, so it was back to Idaho as a graduate assistant. In 1968, Buratto left for Twin Falls High School
in southern Idaho, where he was an assistant football coach and the wrestling coach. In 1973 he joined the staff at Boise State
under head coach Tony Knap
, a fellow former Vandal. He followed Knap to UNLV
in 1976 for four seasons, before he left for Saskatchewan
of the CFL.
as the Offensive Line Coach for the Saskatchewan Roughriders
. In 1983
, he became the Defensive Coordinator
for the B.C. Lions, where his team lost to the Argonauts in the Grey Cup
final. He was named Head Coach of the Calgary Stampeders
in 1984. After a 6–10 record and last place finish in the West Division
in 1984
, followed by a poor start the following year
, he was fired and replaced by Bud Riley
. In 1986
he returned to B.C. as their Co-Offensive Coordinator/Defensive Coordinator. After a 7 year hiatus, he returned to coaching in 1993
as the Offensive Line Coach for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He then helped build one of the greatest offences in league history as Offensive Coordinator of the Baltimore Stallions
. In 1994
and 1995
the team made back-to-back Grey Cup appearances.
In 2000
he became receivers coach for the Lions, however only held the job for a few weeks as he was promoted to head coach after head coach Greg Mohns
resigned to join the XFL
. Over the team's final 12 games he led the Lions to a 6–6 record, good enough for a spot in the playoffs. In the Division Semifinals B.C. upset the Edmonton Eskimos
34–32 at Commonwealth Stadium
. In the Division Finals, the Lions traveled to McMahon Stadium
where they defeated the 12–5 Calgary Stampeders 37–23. In the 88th Grey Cup
, the Lions faced the 12–6 Montreal Alouettes
. Despite being an underdog, the Lions held the lead throughout the game and won 28–26. The Lions, who finished with an 8–10 record during the regular season, became the first team ever to finish with a regular season record below .500 and win the Grey Cup.
Buratto was retained by the Lions for the 2001
season, going 8–10 and losing to Calgary in the Division Semifinals. After a 1–5 start in 2002
, Buratto was replaced by General Manager Adam Rita
.
Buratto became the Lions’ Offensive Coordinator in 2003
and in 2004
, helped guide his team to the Grey Cup. In 2005
he joined Tom Higgins staff in Calgary as Offensive Coordinator. After being let go by the Stampeders, the Argonauts hired Buratto to replaced the fired Kent Austin
as Offensive Coordinator. In 2009, he was reassigned to Special Teams Coordinator and running backs coach. In 2010, he was hired as the offensive line coach for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats
. After spending one season with the Tiger-Cats, Buratto joined the Saskatchewan Roughriders
to assume the offensive line coach position.
, Idaho, their off-season home. Steve has three children from a previous marriage, Steve Jr., Dina, and Jill.
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
, currently the offensive line coach
Offensive line coach
The offensive line coach is a coaching position in gridiron football that is in charge of the offensive line. This role is very common in the CFL, NFL, and college football programs. The offensive line coach serves the offense, which is led by the offensive coordinator....
for the Saskatchewan Roughriders
Saskatchewan Roughriders
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are a Canadian Football League team based in Regina, Saskatchewan. They were founded in 1910. They play their home games at 2940 10th Avenue in Regina, which has been the team's home base for its entire history, even prior to the construction of Mosaic Stadium at Taylor...
.
Early career
Buratto graduated from Clarkston High SchoolClarkston High School
Clarkston High School is a high school located in Independence Township, Michigan. It is the only high school in both the township and the Clarkston Community Schools district. The school's colors are blue and gold. Its team mascot and nickname is the Wolves...
in Clarkston, Washington
Clarkston, Washington
Clarkston is a city in Asotin County in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Washington. It is part of the Lewiston ID-WA Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 7,229 in 2010....
, in 1961. A late bloomer, he did not make the varsity team until his senior year. He attended junior college at Columbia Basin College
Columbia Basin College
Columbia Basin College is a community college based in Pasco, Washington. The College offers many associate degrees and one baccalaureate business degree in applied management....
for a year in Pasco, Washington
Pasco, Washington
Pasco is a city in and the county seat of Franklin County, Washington, United States.Pasco is one of three cities that make up the Tri-Cities region of the state of Washington...
, then transferred to the University of Idaho
University of Idaho
The University of Idaho is the State of Idaho's flagship and oldest public university, located in the rural city of Moscow in Latah County in the northern portion of the state...
in Moscow
Moscow, Idaho
Moscow is a city in northern Idaho, situated along the Washington/Idaho border. It is the most populous city and county seat of Latah County and the home of the University of Idaho, the land grant institution and primary research university for the state...
, recruited by Bud Riley
Bud Riley
Edward "Bud" Riley is an American former football coach with the Idaho Vandals, Oregon State Beavers, and in the Canadian Football League...
to play for head coach Dee Andros
Dee Andros
Demosthenes Konstandies "Dee" Andrecopoulos was an American football player, coach, and college athletics administrator in the United States. He served as the head football coach at the University of Idaho from 1962 to 1964 and at Oregon State University from 1965 to 1975, compiling career...
. He redshirted
Redshirt (college sports)
Redshirt is a term used in American college athletics that refers to a delay or suspension of an athlete's participation in order to lengthen his or her period of eligibility...
in 1962 and then was a center
Center (American football)
Center is a position in American football and Canadian football . The center is the innermost lineman of the offensive line on a football team's offense...
for the Vandals
Idaho Vandals football
The Idaho Vandals are a college football team that represents the University of Idaho. The Vandals currently compete in the Western Athletic Conference of the Football Bowl Subdivision of NCAA Division I...
for three seasons, and played with Jerry Campbell
Jerry Campbell
Jerry "Soupy" Campbell is a former Canadian Football League linebacker for the Calgary Stampeders and the Ottawa Rough Riders . He was a CFL All-Star for seven straight years and played on three Grey Cup championship teams for Ottawa. He was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in...
and Don Matthews
Don Matthews
Don Matthews, a.k.a. "The Don", is a former head coach of several teams in the Canadian Football League and is the second winningest head coach in CFL history with 231 wins...
.
Not selected in the 1966 NFL Draft
1966 NFL Draft
The 1966 National Football League Draft was held on November 27, 1965. It was the last draft in which the NFL and the AFL drafted their players separate of one another. As a result, many players selected by teams from both leagues would choose to play for the more established NFL, or in a rarer...
, Buratto tried out with the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
, then taught at Sandpoint High School
Sandpoint High School
Sandpoint High School is a public high school in Sandpoint, Idaho, United States.-Academic Decathlon :The school's Academic Decathlon has been successful in statewide and national competitions...
for a year, and was invited to try again with Green Bay in 1967
1967 Green Bay Packers season
The 1967 Green Bay Packers season was their 47th season in the NFL and resulted in a 9-4-1 record and a victory in Super Bowl II. The team beat the Dallas Cowboys in the 1967 NFL Championship Game, a game commonly known as the "Ice Bowl," which marked the second time the Packers had won an...
. After losing 25 pounds (11.3 kg) due to an intestinal virus, Buratto arrived at camp weakened and underweight, so it was back to Idaho as a graduate assistant. In 1968, Buratto left for Twin Falls High School
Twin Falls High School
Twin Falls High School is a high school in Twin Falls, Idaho, United States. It is one of two regular high schools operated by the Twin Falls School District.-School history:...
in southern Idaho, where he was an assistant football coach and the wrestling coach. In 1973 he joined the staff at Boise State
Boise State Broncos football
This page discusses the Boise State football program. For more Boise State athletics, see Boise State Broncos.The Boise State Broncos football program represents Boise State University in college football and compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision of Division I as a member of the Mountain West...
under head coach Tony Knap
Tony Knap
Anthony Joseph "Tony" Knap was a college football head coach and former player. He was the head coach at Utah State , Boise State , and UNLV , compiling a career college football record of 143–53–4.-Biography:The oldest son of Polish immigrants, Knap was raised in Milwaukee,...
, a fellow former Vandal. He followed Knap to UNLV
UNLV Rebels football
The UNLV Rebels football program is a college football team that represents the University of Nevada, Las Vegas . The team is currently a member of the Mountain West Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletics Association...
in 1976 for four seasons, before he left for Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Roughriders
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are a Canadian Football League team based in Regina, Saskatchewan. They were founded in 1910. They play their home games at 2940 10th Avenue in Regina, which has been the team's home base for its entire history, even prior to the construction of Mosaic Stadium at Taylor...
of the CFL.
CFL coach
Buratto’s pro coaching career started in 19801980 CFL season
The 1980 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 27th season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 23rd Canadian Football League season.-CFL News in 1980:...
as the Offensive Line Coach for the Saskatchewan Roughriders
Saskatchewan Roughriders
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are a Canadian Football League team based in Regina, Saskatchewan. They were founded in 1910. They play their home games at 2940 10th Avenue in Regina, which has been the team's home base for its entire history, even prior to the construction of Mosaic Stadium at Taylor...
. In 1983
1983 CFL season
The 1983 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 30th season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 26th Canadian Football League season.-CFL News in 1983:...
, he became the Defensive Coordinator
Defensive coordinator
A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a gridiron football team who is in charge of the defense. Generally, along with his offensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
for the B.C. Lions, where his team lost to the Argonauts in the Grey Cup
Grey Cup
The Grey Cup is both the name of the championship of the Canadian Football League and the name of the trophy awarded to the victorious team. It is Canada's largest annual sports and television event, regularly drawing a Canadian viewing audience of about 3 to 4 million individuals...
final. He was named Head Coach of the Calgary Stampeders
Calgary Stampeders
The Calgary Stampeders are a Canadian Football League team based in Calgary, Alberta and named in reference to the Calgary Stampede. The Stampeders play their home games at McMahon Stadium...
in 1984. After a 6–10 record and last place finish in the West Division
Canadian Football League West Division
The West Division is one of the two regional divisions of the Canadian Football League. Although the CFL was not founded until 1958, the West Division and its clubs are descended from earlier leagues.-Pre-1936:...
in 1984
1984 Calgary Stampeders season
The 1984 Calgary Stampeders finished in 5th place in the West Division with a 6–10–0 record and failed to make the playoffs.- Season Standings:-Season schedule:-References:...
, followed by a poor start the following year
1985 Calgary Stampeders season
The 1985 Calgary Stampeders finished in 5th place in the West Division with a 3–13–0 record and failed to make the playoffs.- Season Standings:-Season schedule:-References:...
, he was fired and replaced by Bud Riley
Bud Riley
Edward "Bud" Riley is an American former football coach with the Idaho Vandals, Oregon State Beavers, and in the Canadian Football League...
. In 1986
1986 CFL season
The 1986 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 33rd season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 29th Canadian Football League season.-CFL News in 1986:...
he returned to B.C. as their Co-Offensive Coordinator/Defensive Coordinator. After a 7 year hiatus, he returned to coaching in 1993
1993 CFL season
The 1993 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 40th season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 36th Canadian Football League season.-CFL news in 1993:...
as the Offensive Line Coach for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He then helped build one of the greatest offences in league history as Offensive Coordinator of the Baltimore Stallions
Baltimore Stallions
The Baltimore Stallions were a Canadian Football League team based in Baltimore, Maryland, which played the 1994 and 1995 seasons. They were the most successful American team in the Canadian Football League, having two winning seasons and a division title. In 1995 they became the only American team...
. In 1994
1994 CFL season
The 1994 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 41st season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 37th Canadian Football League season.-CFL News in 1994:...
and 1995
1995 CFL season
The 1995 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 42nd season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 38th Canadian Football League season.-CFL News in 1995:...
the team made back-to-back Grey Cup appearances.
In 2000
2000 CFL season
-2000 CFL Awards:*CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award – Dave Dickenson , Calgary Stampeders*CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian Award – Sean Millington , BC Lions*CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award – Joe Montford , Hamilton Tiger-Cats...
he became receivers coach for the Lions, however only held the job for a few weeks as he was promoted to head coach after head coach Greg Mohns
Greg Mohns
Gregory R. Mohns is a football executive and coach who was as the Assistant General Manager and Director of Player Personnel of the Toronto Argonauts until February 19th 2010.- Career :...
resigned to join the XFL
XFL
The XFL was a professional American football league that played for one season in 2001. The league was founded by Vince McMahon, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of WWE...
. Over the team's final 12 games he led the Lions to a 6–6 record, good enough for a spot in the playoffs. In the Division Semifinals B.C. upset the Edmonton Eskimos
Edmonton Eskimos
The Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian football team based in Edmonton, Alberta. They currently play in the West Division of the Canadian Football League . Edmonton is currently the third-youngest franchise in the CFL, although there were clubs with the name Edmonton Eskimos as early as 1895...
34–32 at Commonwealth Stadium
Commonwealth Stadium (Edmonton)
Commonwealth Stadium is a sports stadium located in the Norwood Area of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, primarily used by the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League. The stadium is owned and operated by the City of Edmonton.- History :...
. In the Division Finals, the Lions traveled to McMahon Stadium
McMahon Stadium
McMahon Stadium is a Canadian football stadium located in Calgary, Alberta. The stadium is owned by the University of Calgary and operated by the McMahon Stadium Society....
where they defeated the 12–5 Calgary Stampeders 37–23. In the 88th Grey Cup
88th Grey Cup
The 88th Grey Cup was held in 2000 in Calgary. The BC Lions won the game 28-26 over the Montreal Alouettes...
, the Lions faced the 12–6 Montreal Alouettes
Montreal Alouettes
The Montreal Alouettes are a Canadian Football League team based in Montreal, Quebec.The current franchise named the Alouettes moved to Montreal from Baltimore, Maryland, in 1996 where they had been known as the Baltimore Stallions...
. Despite being an underdog, the Lions held the lead throughout the game and won 28–26. The Lions, who finished with an 8–10 record during the regular season, became the first team ever to finish with a regular season record below .500 and win the Grey Cup.
Buratto was retained by the Lions for the 2001
2001 CFL season
The 2001 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 48th season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 44th Canadian Football League season.-CFL news in 2001:...
season, going 8–10 and losing to Calgary in the Division Semifinals. After a 1–5 start in 2002
2002 CFL season
The 2002 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 49th season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 45th Canadian Football League season.-CFL News in 2002:...
, Buratto was replaced by General Manager Adam Rita
Adam Rita
Adam Rita is a Canadian Football League executive who has served as the head coach of Toronto Argonauts, Ottawa Rough Riders, and BC Lions and as general manager of the Lions and Argonauts....
.
Buratto became the Lions’ Offensive Coordinator in 2003
2003 CFL season
The 2003 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 50th season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 46th Canadian Football League season.-CFL News in 2003:...
and in 2004
2004 CFL season
The 2004 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 51st season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 47th Canadian Football League season.-CFL News in 2004:...
, helped guide his team to the Grey Cup. In 2005
2005 CFL season
The 2005 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 52nd season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 48th Canadian Football League season.-CFL News in 2005:...
he joined Tom Higgins staff in Calgary as Offensive Coordinator. After being let go by the Stampeders, the Argonauts hired Buratto to replaced the fired Kent Austin
Kent Austin
Richard Kent Austin is the Head Coach for the Cornell University Big Red football team. Prior to this, he was the Offensive Coordinator for the Ole Miss Rebels football team. He is the former Head Coach of the Canadian Football League's Saskatchewan Roughriders...
as Offensive Coordinator. In 2009, he was reassigned to Special Teams Coordinator and running backs coach. In 2010, he was hired as the offensive line coach for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are a Canadian Football League team based in Hamilton, Ontario, founded in 1950 with the merger of the Hamilton Tigers and the Hamilton Wildcats. The Tiger-Cats play their home games at Ivor Wynne Stadium...
. After spending one season with the Tiger-Cats, Buratto joined the Saskatchewan Roughriders
Saskatchewan Roughriders
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are a Canadian Football League team based in Regina, Saskatchewan. They were founded in 1910. They play their home games at 2940 10th Avenue in Regina, which has been the team's home base for its entire history, even prior to the construction of Mosaic Stadium at Taylor...
to assume the offensive line coach position.
Personal
Steve is married to Judy and they make BoiseBoise, Idaho
Boise is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Idaho, as well as the county seat of Ada County. Located on the Boise River, it anchors the Boise City-Nampa metropolitan area and is the largest city between Salt Lake City, Utah and Portland, Oregon.As of the 2010 Census Bureau,...
, Idaho, their off-season home. Steve has three children from a previous marriage, Steve Jr., Dina, and Jill.
CFL coaching record
| Team | |Regular Season | CAL 1984 Calgary Stampeders season The 1984 Calgary Stampeders finished in 5th place in the West Division with a 6–10–0 record and failed to make the playoffs.- Season Standings:-Season schedule:-References:... |
1984 1984 CFL season The 1984 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 31st season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 27th Canadian Football League season.-CFL News in 1984:... |
6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 5th in West Division | – | – | Missed Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAL 1985 Calgary Stampeders season The 1985 Calgary Stampeders finished in 5th place in the West Division with a 3–13–0 record and failed to make the playoffs.- Season Standings:-Season schedule:-References:... |
1985 1985 CFL season The 1985 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 32nd season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 28th Canadian Football League season.-CFL News in 1985:... |
1 | 7 | 0 | .125 | 5th in West Division | – | – | Fired | ||
| BC 2000 BC Lions season The 2000 BC Lions finished in 3rd place in the West Division with a 8–10 record. After starting the season with a 5–9 record, the Lions won four of their last five regular season games and entered the post-season with heavy momentum. As such, they became the first team in CFL history with a losing... |
2000 2000 CFL season -2000 CFL Awards:*CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award – Dave Dickenson , Calgary Stampeders*CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian Award – Sean Millington , BC Lions*CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award – Joe Montford , Hamilton Tiger-Cats... |
6 | 6 | 0 | .500 | 3rd in West Division | 3 | 0 | Won Grey Cup 88th Grey Cup The 88th Grey Cup was held in 2000 in Calgary. The BC Lions won the game 28-26 over the Montreal Alouettes... |
||
| BC | 2001 2001 CFL season The 2001 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 48th season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 44th Canadian Football League season.-CFL news in 2001:... |
8 | 10 | 0 | .444 | 3rd in West Division | 0 | 1 | Lost in Division Semifinals | ||
| BC 2002 BC Lions season The 2002 BC Lions finished in 3rd place in the West Division with a 10–8 record. They appeared in the West-Semi Final.- CFL Draft:-Preseason:- Season Standings:-Season schedule:- Passing:-Rushing:-Receiving:-2002 CFL All-Stars:... |
2002 2002 CFL season The 2002 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 49th season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 45th Canadian Football League season.-CFL News in 2002:... |
1 | 5 | 0 | .167 | 4th in West Division | – | – | Fired | ||
| Total | 22 | 38 | 0 | .367 | 1 West Division Championship |
3 | 1 | 1 Grey Cup | |||
External links
- Saskatchewan Roughriders – profile
- Hamilton Tiger-Cats – profile
- Toronto Argonauts – profile