Michigan State University Athletics
Ruel Fills Offense Line Vacancy on Spartan Football Staff
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Golden Pat Ruel, a 23-year veteran in the collegiate coaching ranks. has been named offensive line coach at Michigan State, according to an announcement made Thursday by Spartan Football coach Nick Saban. Ruel replaces Jim Bollman, who was appointed tight ends coach by the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles yesterday.
The 47-year-old Ruel comes to Michigan State following a nine-year stint as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach under Glen Mason at Kansas (1988-96). He also served as the Jayhwaks' assistant head for six seasons from 1991-96. Kansas produced a 10-2 mark in 1995 and finished ninth in the final Associated Press Poll, thanks to a 51-30 victory over UCLA in the Aloha Bowl.
During his tenure, Ruel helped develop some of the most prolific offensive teams in Kansas history, with six of those teams ranking among the school's all-time top 10 in terms of total offense. Kansas also ranked among the NCAA's top 25 teams in rushing offense five times. The Jayhwaks broke numerous Aloha Bowl records in their 21-point win over UCLA in '95, with quarterback Mark Williams accounting for 548 total yards.
Ruel tutored seven first-team All-Big Eight Conference offensive linemen at Kansas, including 1996 NFL Draft picks Chris Banks (Denver) and Rod Jones (Cinncinati).
