Living and Breathing Football
For the New York Giants’ Dave DeGuglielmo (SED’90,’91), The Game Is All
By Jean Hennelly Keith
New York Giants assistant offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo (SED’90,’91). Photo by Jerry Pinkus.
Football’s offensive linemen are not only big and brawny, they are, next to the quarterback, the smartest players on the field, according to Dave DeGuglielmo. “The offensive line is critical to every win,” says the former Terrier gridiron standout. “Protecting the quarterback is what it’s all about.” He should know. DeGuglielmo (SED’90,’91) is assistant offensive line coach for the New York Giants.
Offensive linemen need tremendous physical strength and stamina to block and rush. But they also must memorize complex plays and make quick decisions on the field. As a coach, DeGuglielmo demands perfection from his players. “You take a group of guys who are bigger, slower, and less athletic than the others — who rely on their strength — and teach them to come together as one entity,” he says.
Football is a passion with DeGuglielmo. He began playing at nine and has been a player or coach for nearly thirty years. “I love the strategy,” he says. “Football to me is like mathematics to a mathematician. I look at a still shot, and I can tell you what’s going to happen.”
During the season, his average workday, beginning at 5 a.m. and ending at 11:30 p.m., consists of coaching, studying film, researching players, strategizing, and traveling with the team. He credits his father, Charles DeGuglielmo, for his self-discipline and strong work ethic. An Italian immigrant who has been a BU carpenter for more than thirty years, his father “knew nothing about American football,” says DeGuglielmo, but everything about hard work.
Considered too short for college ball, DeGuglielmo didn’t attract interest, even from the small schools. But at five eight, what he may have lacked in height, he compensated for with his 235-pound weight-lifter’s build. He joined the Terrier team in 1987 and within six months became its strongest member. Training with Mike Boyle, now an internationally recognized strength and conditioning coach, he “reaped the benefits of this genius who convinced me that I had something to offer in football,” he says. By his senior year, he could squat 660 pounds and bench press 415. Playing guard and center during his years as a Terrier, he was a two-time Yankee Conference All-Academic Player and a First Team All-New England selection.
As co-captain his senior year, he played under the late Dan Allen, who later encouraged him to take an offer as a graduate assistant to Boston College coach Tom Coughlin, knowing it would be a good career step. “It was the best move of my life,” DeGuglielmo says. “He truly taught me how to be a coach. You work, and you work, and you always outwork your opponent.”
After two years with Coughlin, he returned to BU as offensive line coach for Allen, coaching all five offensive line players. When Allen went to Holy Cross, DeGuglielmo stayed on as line coach and became assistant head coach as well.
But football was on its way out at BU, so DeGuglielmo took a coaching position under Skip Holtz at the University of Connecticut, and two years later became offensive line coach for Skip’s father, famed head coach Lou Holtz, at the University of South Carolina. “It was a tremendous break,” DeGuglielmo says, “working for a legend like Lou Holtz.”
After five years at USC, a call came from former boss Coughlin. Just named the head coach of the New York Giants, he invited DeGuglielmo to join his coaching staff. Working in the pros is intense, especially under Coughlin, says DeGuglielmo. “He’s incredibly consistent, detailed, and precise.” But, he says, “There aren’t many jobs better than this one.”