Gerard Paul DiNardo (born November 10, 1952) is an American former

football Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kick (football), kicking a football (ball), ball to score a goal (sports), goal. Unqualified, football (word), the word ''football'' generally means the form of football t ...

player and coach. He played

college football College football is gridiron football that is played by teams of amateur Student athlete, student-athletes at universities and colleges. It was through collegiate competition that gridiron football American football in the United States, firs ...

as a

guard Guard or guards may refer to: Professional occupations * Bodyguard, who protects an individual from personal assault * Crossing guard, who stops traffic so pedestrians can cross the street * Lifeguard, who rescues people from drowning * Prison gu ...

for the

Notre Dame Fighting Irish The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are the athletic teams that represent the University of Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish participate in 26 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I intercollegiate sports and in the NCAA's Division ...

where he was selected as an All-American in 1974. DiNardo served as the head football coach at

Vanderbilt University Vanderbilt University (informally Vandy or VU) is a private university, private research university in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1873, it was named in honor of shipping and railroad magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt, who provide ...

(1991–1994),

Louisiana State University Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, commonly referred to as Louisiana State University (LSU), is an American Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Baton Rouge, Louis ...

(1995–1999), and

Indiana University Indiana University (IU) is a state university system, system of Public university, public universities in the U.S. state of Indiana. The system has two core campuses, five regional campuses, and two regional centers under the administration o ...

(2002–2004), compiling a career college football record of 59–76–1. In 2001, he was the head coach of the Birmingham Thunderbolts of the XFL.

Playing career

DiNardo went to college at the

University of Notre Dame The University of Notre Dame du Lac (known simply as Notre Dame; ; ND) is a Private university, private Catholic research university in Notre Dame, Indiana, United States. Founded in 1842 by members of the Congregation of Holy Cross, a Cathol ...

, where he played guard from 1972 to 1974 for coach

Ara Parseghian Ara Raoul Parseghian (; ; May 21, 1923 – August 2, 2017) was an American football coach and player who coached the University of Notre Dame to national championships in 1966 and 1973. He is noted for bringing Notre Dame's Fighting Irish footb ...

. DiNardo was a member of the school's 1973 national championship team, and an All-American in 1974. Incidentally, DiNardo honed his blocking skills against

Rudy Ruettiger Daniel Eugene Ruettiger (born August 23, 1948) is an American motivational speaker and author who played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. His early life and career at Notre Dame were the inspiration for the 1993 film '' Rudy ...

, a member of the scout team during DiNardo's time at Notre Dame. The football movie Rudy was based on Ruettiger's life. DiNardo's older brother, Larry, was also an All-American at Notre Dame, playing from 1968 to 1970.

Coaching career

DiNardo began his coaching career at the

University of Maine The University of Maine (UMaine) is a Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Orono, Maine, United States. It was established in 1865 as the land-grant college of Maine and is the Flagship universitie ...

in 1975. From 1977 to 1981, he was an assistant at

Eastern Michigan University Eastern Michigan University (EMU, EMich, Eastern Michigan or simply Eastern) is a public university, public research university in Ypsilanti, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1849 as the Michigan State Normal School, it was the fourth normal ...

. In 1982, he joined the coaching staff at the

University of Colorado The University of Colorado (CU) is a system of public universities in Colorado. It consists of four institutions: the University of Colorado Boulder, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, the University of Colorado Denver, and the U ...

under head coach Bill McCartney. DiNardo was the

offensive coordinator An offensive coordinator (OC) is a Coach (sport), coach responsible for a gridiron football team's offense (American football), offense. Generally, the offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator and special teams coordinator represent the second ...

when

Colorado Colorado is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States. It is one of the Mountain states, sharing the Four Corners region with Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. It is also bordered by Wyoming to the north, Nebraska to the northeast, Kansas ...

won the

national championship A national championship(s) is the top achievement for any sport or competition, contest within a league of a particular nation or nation state. The title is usually awarded by contests, ranking systems, stature, ability, etc. This determines the be ...

in 1990. The Buffaloes' offensive line coach from 1982 through 1986 was Les Miles, who was LSU's head coach from 2005 to 2016.

Vanderbilt

In December 1990, DiNardo took the head coach job at

, starting in the 1991 season. During 1988, 1989, and 1990, Vanderbilt finished 3–8, 1–10, and 1–10. DiNardo took over and went 5–6, 4–7, 5–6, and 5–6 from 1991 to 1994. DiNardo's two biggest wins were when he led the

Commodores Commodores, often billed as The Commodores, are an American funk and Soul music, soul group. The group's most successful period was in the late 1970s and early 1980s when Lionel Richie was the co-lead singer. The members of the group met as m ...

to victory over No. 17

Georgia Georgia most commonly refers to: * Georgia (country), a country in the South Caucasus * Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the southeastern United States Georgia may also refer to: People and fictional characters * Georgia (name), a list of pe ...

on October 19, 1991, and No. 25

Ole Miss OLE, Ole or Olé may refer to: * Olé, a cheering expression used in Spain * Ole (name), a male given name, includes a list of people named Ole * Overhead lines equipment, used to transmit electrical energy to trams, trolleybuses or trains Co ...

on September 19, 1992.

LSU

On December 12, 1994, DiNardo left Vanderbilt and took the head coach position at

LSU Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, commonly referred to as Louisiana State University (LSU), is an American Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Baton Rouge, Louis ...

. He took over a program that had six straight losing seasons and that had not been ranked in the AP Poll since 1989. DiNardo promised "to bring back the magic", and for his first three seasons, he had considerable success, including a victory in the 1996 Peach Bowl. As the team's fortunes improved, DiNardo brought back the tradition of wearing white jerseys during home games. In his first season at LSU in 1995, the Tigers opened with a loss at No. 3

Texas A&M Texas A&M University (Texas A&M, A&M, TA&M, or TAMU) is a public university, public, Land-grant university, land-grant, research university in College Station, Texas, United States. It was founded in 1876 and became the flagship institution of ...

on September 2, 1995. However, during LSU's first home game on September 16, 1995, DiNardo led LSU to a 12–6 upset victory over No. 5 Auburn,''ESPN College Football Encyclopedia'', p. 425.''ESPN College Football Encyclopedia'', pp. 1392–93. a game which went down to the last play. Following the victory, LSU spent the next three weeks in the AP Poll before losing to No. 3

Florida Florida ( ; ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders the Gulf of Mexico to the west, Alabama to the northwest, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia to the north, the Atlantic ...

on October 7, 1995. LSU's next losses were to unranked

Kentucky Kentucky (, ), officially the Commonwealth of Kentucky, is a landlocked U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio to the north, West Virginia to the ...

on October 14, 1995, and No. 16

Alabama Alabama ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern and Deep South, Deep Southern regions of the United States. It borders Tennessee to the north, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gu ...

on November 4, 1995. LSU finished the season by beating No. 14

Arkansas Arkansas ( ) is a landlocked state in the West South Central region of the Southern United States. It borders Missouri to the north, Tennessee and Mississippi to the east, Louisiana to the south, Texas to the southwest, and Oklahoma ...

on November 18, 1995. The Tigers then went to the Independence Bowl, where they beat unranked

Michigan State Michigan State University (Michigan State or MSU) is a public land-grant research university in East Lansing, Michigan, United States. It was founded in 1855 as the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan, the first of its kind in the ...

, 45–26, coached by

Nick Saban Nicholas Lou Saban Jr. ( ; born October 31, 1951) is an American sportscaster and former Professional gridiron football, professional and college football coach. He serves as an analyst for ESPN's ''College GameDay (football TV program), Colleg ...

, who would go on to replace DiNardo at LSU in 1999. In 1996, LSU began the season with a preseason ranking of No. 19. After LSU defeated No. 14 Auburn, the Tigers lost to No. 1

, and No. 10

, finishing the regular season at 9–2. LSU went to the Peach Bowl where they beat unranked Clemson, by a score of 10–7. LSU finished the season ranked No. 12. In 1997, LSU started the season with a preseason ranking of No. 10. After losing to No. 12 Auburn, LSU faced off against No. 1

at Tiger Stadium.''ESPN College Football Encyclopedia'', pp. 1400–01. LSU upset the Gators, 28–21, on October 11, making the cover of ''

Sports Illustrated ''Sports Illustrated'' (''SI'') is an American sports magazine first published in August 1954. Founded by Stuart Scheftel, it was the first magazine with a circulation of over one million to win the National Magazine Award for General Excellen ...

''. The next week LSU lost to unranked Ole Miss. LSU's only other loss of the season was to unranked Notre Dame on November 15, which the Tigers avenged by beating the Fighting Irish, 27–9, in a rematch in the Independence Bowl. LSU finished the season ranked No. 13. In 1998, LSU started the season with a preseason ranking of No. 9. They climbed to No. 6 before losing to No. 12

on October 3. The next week the No. 11-ranked Tigers lost to the No. 6

. After the defeat by the Gators, LSU dropped 13 of the next 17 games, including losses to a No. 10 Notre Dame and No. 13

later in the 1998 season. In 1999 LSU lost to No. 10

, No. 8

, No. 12

Mississippi State Mississippi State University for Agriculture and Applied Science, commonly known as Mississippi State University (MSU), is a public land-grant research university in Mississippi State, Mississippi, United States. It is classified among "R ...

, No. 25 Ole Miss, and No. 12

. On November 15, 1999, two days after the Tigers lost to unranked

Houston Houston ( ) is the List of cities in Texas by population, most populous city in the U.S. state of Texas and in the Southern United States. Located in Southeast Texas near Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, it is the county seat, seat of ...

at home, LSU chancellor

Mark Emmert Mark Allen Emmert (born December 16, 1952) is the former president of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). He was the fifth CEO of the NCAA; he was named as the incoming president on April 27, 2010, and assumed his duties on Nov ...

fired DiNardo, over the objection of athletic director Joe Dean, with one game remaining in the season. DiNardo was given the option to coach the final game of the season against Arkansas, but DiNardo declined (in stark contrast to predecessors Curley Hallman and Mike Archer, who agreed to finish out seasons after Hallman was fired in 1994 and Archer resigned under pressure in 1990). Instead, offensive line coach Hal Hunter was named interim coach, leading LSU to a 35–10 victory over the Razorbacks. The 1999 season was the last season in which LSU did not participate in a bowl game until 2020. The Tigers recorded 20 consecutive winning seasons since under

, Les Miles, and

Ed Orgeron Edward James Orgeron Jr. (; born July 27, 1961), nicknamed "Coach O", is an American former American football, college football coach. He was most recently the head football coach at Louisiana State University (LSU), a position he held from midw ...

between 2000 and 2019, and did not finish with a losing record until 2021. Saban, then in his fifth season at

, was named as DiNardo's replacement on November 30. Saban guided the Tigers to a Southeastern Conference title in 2001 and the BCS national championship in 2003 before leaving LSU for the

National Football League The National Football League (NFL) is a Professional gridiron football, professional American football league in the United States. Composed of 32 teams, it is divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National ...

Miami Dolphins The Miami Dolphins are a professional American football team based in the Miami metropolitan area. The Dolphins compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC East, East division. The team ...

in January 2005.

XFL

DiNardo's next head coaching job was in the ill-fated XFL in 2001. He was the coach of the Birmingham Thunderbolts, which posted the league's worst record at 2–8. The league folded after one season. Unlike the XFL's other teams, DiNardo banned his players from substituting nicknames for their last names on the backs of their jerseys. DiNardo was the only coach who issued a ban; the

Orlando Rage The Orlando Rage was an American football team based in Orlando, Florida as part of the XFL (2001), XFL, begun by Vince McMahon of the World Wrestling Entertainment, World Wrestling Federation and by NBC, a major television network in the Unite ...

's ban was due to a team vote, not the action of coach Galen Hall.

Indiana

After the XFL folded, DiNardo moved on to become head coach of the

Indiana Hoosiers The Indiana Hoosiers are the intercollegiate sports teams and players of Indiana University Bloomington, named after the demonym for people from the state of Indiana. The Hoosiers participate in NCAA Division I, Division I of the National Coll ...

in 2002. He was largely unsuccessful in the

Big Ten Conference The Big Ten Conference (stylized B1G, formerly the Western Conference and the Big Nine Conference, among others) is a collegiate List of NCAA conferences, athletic conference in the United States. Founded as the Intercollegiate Conference of Fa ...

, never winning more than three games in a season, and was fired after the 2004 season.

Post-coaching career

Starting in 2005, DiNardo worked as a

analyst for

ESPN ESPN (an initialism of their original name, which was the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network) is an American international basic cable sports channel owned by the Walt Disney Company (80% and operational control) and Hearst Commu ...

and could be heard weekly as part of College GameDay. He currently works as a studio analyst for the

Big Ten Network Big Ten Network (BTN) is an American sports network based in Chicago, Illinois. The channel is dedicated to coverage of College athletics, collegiate sports sanctioned by the Big Ten Conference, including live and recorded event telecasts, news ...

and college football expert for

WSCR WSCR (670 AM radio, AM) – branded 670 The Score – is a Commercial radio, commercial sports radio station, licensed to Chicago, Illinois, which serves the Chicago metropolitan area. Owned by Audacy, Inc., WSCR is a clear-channel station wit ...

Boers and Bernstein ''Boers and Bernstein'' was an afternoon drive-time sports talk show on Chicago's WSCR hosted by former ''Chicago Sun-Times'' columnist Terry Boers and Dan Bernstein (radio), Dan Bernstein. The pairing debuted in 1999 and originally aired from ...

radio show in Chicago. DiNardo also owned DeAngelo's Italian Restaurant in

Bloomington, Indiana Bloomington is a city in Monroe County, Indiana, United States, and its county seat. The population was 79,168 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. It is the List of municipalities in Indiana, seventh-most populous city in Indiana and ...

Family

DiNardo was born in

Howard Beach, Queens Howard Beach is a neighborhood in the southwestern portion of the New York City Borough (New York City), borough of Queens. It is bordered to the north by the Belt Parkway and Conduit Avenue in Ozone Park, Queens, Ozone Park, to the south by J ...

. He is the youngest son of Pasquale Richard DiNardo and Maria Inez DiNardo and has three brothers, John, Robert, and Lawrence. He currently lives in

Chicago, Illinois Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...

with his wife, Terri. He has two children, Kate and Michael.

Head coaching record

College

XFL

Notes

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dinardo, Gerry 1952 births Living people American football offensive guards Birmingham Thunderbolts coaches College football announcers Colorado Buffaloes football coaches Eastern Michigan Eagles football coaches Indiana Hoosiers football coaches LSU Tigers football coaches Maine Black Bears football coaches Notre Dame Fighting Irish football players Vanderbilt Commodores football coaches All-American college football players People from Howard Beach, Queens Players of American football from Queens, New York Coaches of American football from New York (state)