University of Houston Athletics
Veteran Rizzo Added To Cougar Football Staff
1/13/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Jan. 13, 2006
HOUSTON, Texas - University of Houston head football coach Art Briles today announced the hiring of former Rice assistant coach Charlie Rizzo to his coaching staff. A veteran of 33 years of coaching football, Rizzo will be a member of the Cougar defensive staff.
"The thing that most impresses me about Charlie is that he thinks he's 21 years old," said Briles, who just completed his third year at the helm of the UH program. "He has the energy and enthusiasm of a youthful person, and I appreciate that. He is high energy (and) high intensity, and his wealth of knowledge not only on the defensive side of the football, but also in our league and seven years in the WAC, which is the utmost benefit to us.
"He's got some things we're looking for. He is dedicated. He is a warrior. He is a survivor, and he is a person who loves (working with) young people. From that standpoint he is a great fit for the University of Houston."
Rizzo spent eight seasons in the Village coaching the Rice Owls defense, including assuming the defensive coordinator role this past year midway through the campaign. One of his star pupils, defensive end John Syptak, was named to the Conference USA First Team.
Since 1998, he has developed a host of talented defenders who have led the team both on and off the field. In 2003, linebacker Jeff Vanover returned from an injury the year before to lead the team in tackles. Rizzo coached him to second team all-Western Athletic Conference honors in 2002.
Before joining Rice, Rizzo spent six seasons coaching at former conference rival Texas Christian where he worked with the Horned Frog linebacker crew. As a member of Pat Sullivan's staff, Rizzo first served TCU as the defensive line coach (1992) and later a running backs coach (1993) before assuming responsibilities with the linebackers (1994-97).
Prior to TCU, the 59-year-old Rizzo was in private business for two years after an extensive 18-year coaching career primarily on the East Coast and in the Southeast. Rizzo's last position before his coaching hiatus was as an assistant coach at Georgia Tech on Bobby Ross' staff in 1987-89.
In 1986, Rizzo was the defensive line coach for Steve Spurrier and the Tampa Bay Bandits of the USFL after five seasons as the defensive coordinator at Wake Forest, a season at William & Mary and six seasons at The Citadel. He also had coaching stops at Maryland and Utah.
A native of Daytona Beach, Fla., Rizzo graduated from Sea Breeze High, where he was a four-year letterman, team captain and an all-state selection. He was recruited by Auburn, where he played center and linebacker for the Tigers, advancing to the 1964 Orange and 1965 Liberty bowls. He would later work as a student assistant coach, where he was responsible for the defensive scout team. Rizzo graduated in 1967 as an ROTC Distinguished Military Student with a bachelor's degree in speech.
After leaving Auburn, Rizzo became an assistant coach for the Army Plebe team in 1967-68, which was coincidentally the two seasons immediately following Ken Hatfield's two-year tenure as a freshman assistant at West Point. Rizzo then was called to active duty in Vietnam (March, 1969-70), where he was promoted to captain.
A member of the Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church near Rice, Rizzo volunteers each Friday as a cook in the church kitchen, helping feed indigent members of the community. He is also a long-time member of the American Football Coaches Association.
Rizzo has two sons, Brian (28) and Jason (25).
---www.UHcougars.com---
Transaction---Announced the hiring of Charlie Rizzo as a defensive assistant coach.
