Michigan State University Athletics
Ruel & Casullo Accept NFL Coaching Positions
2/21/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
Feb. 21, 2000
EAST LANSING, Mich. - After two months on the job, Michigan State first-year head coach Bobby Williams faces the challenge of filling two vacancies on his coaching staff, with the departures of Golden Pat Ruel and Bob Casullo for the National Football League. Last Friday, the Detroit Lions introduced Ruel as offensive line coach and Monday, the Oakland Raiders announced the hiring of Casullo as special teams coach.
Since February of 1998, five Spartan assistants have accepted coaching positions in the NFL, with Ruel and Casullo joining Jim Bollman, Charlie Baggett and Todd Grantham in the pro ranks.
The 48-year-old Ruel spent two years on the Spartan coaching staff as offensive line coach. He was promoted to the position of assistant head coach following the 1998 campaign. During his brief tenure at Michigan State, he tutored offensive tackle Greg Robinson-Randall, a likely pick in the 2000 NFL Draft, and 1998 first-team All-Big Ten center Jason Strayhorn.
"Pat Ruel did an excellent job in developing our players," Coach Williams said. "He also was a great asset to the program as a recruiter, helping Michigan State gain a presence in areas where it traditionally hadn't been strong. I wish him well.
"This is something he had aspired to do in his coaching career. It's uncommon for a college offensive line coach to get hired by a National Football League team to coach the entire offensive line. Opportunities like this don't come around very often, and the Detroit Lions made him an attractive offer. He and his family made a decision that is in their best interest."
The 48-year-old Casullo served as the team's special teams and tight ends coach in 1999. Under his supervision, the Spartans led the Big Ten and ranked third nationally in net punting (40.2 avg.). In addition, Michigan State finished third in the Big Ten and No. 14 nationally in punt returns (12.7 avg.).
"Bob Casullo did an outstanding job with our special teams last year," Williams said. "Bob has a creative, dynamic approach to coaching special teams. There's no doubt that the way our special teams performed last year helped open the door for him at the next level.
"Bob also did a good job as a recruiter. He really opened some doors for us back East and helped sign a couple of key players in this year's class.
"His dream job is to coach special teams in the NFL, and I wish him the best of luck. Opportunities like this come along once in awhile and the Oakland Raiders made an attractive offer, so Bob decided the time was right to move on.
"We will begin a search immediately to fill these spots on the coaching staff."
