John Bonamego

Last updated

John Bonamego
Iowa State Cyclones
Position:Senior special teams analyst
Personal information
Born: (1963-08-14) August 14, 1963 (age 60)
Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Career information
High school: Paw Paw (MI)
College: Central Michigan
Undrafted: 1987
Career history
As a coach:
Career highlights and awards
As a coach

John Frank Bonamego (born August 14, 1963) is an American football coach who serves as a senior coaching assistant for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He has two decades of college and pro coaching experience. He played college football at Central Michigan and also was head coach of the team from 2015 to 2018.

Contents

Bonamego has also coached for Maine, Lehigh and Army at the college level. He has been an assistant for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints in the NFL.

On June 18, 2015, Bonamego announced that he was diagnosed with tonsil cancer, but that the cancer was caught early enough and was "very treatable'. [1] On August 21, Bonamego announced that he had completed his radiation treatment at the University of Michigan Cancer Center in Ann Arbor. [2]

Early years

Bonamego graduated from Paw Paw High School in Paw Paw, Michigan. His father was an officer in the Army. He lived in eight zip codes [3] –including military bases in Italy and Ethiopia– before he turned 18.

Playing career

Bonamego played wide receiver and quarterback at Central Michigan University. He earned his degree in health and fitness in 1987.

Coaching career

Beginnings

In 1987, Bonamego coached at Mount Pleasant High School in Michigan and was a player-coach in Europe with the Verona Redskins.

College

Bonamego served as a college assistant for 11 years, coaching for Maine from 1988 to 1991, Lehigh in 1992 and Army from 1993 to 1998.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Bonamego first joined the NFL in 1999 as an assistant special teams coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars. He held the position for three seasons before serving his final year with the team as special teams coordinator in 2002. That season, the Jaguars blocked four kicks and were second in the league in kickoff coverage. Punter Chris Hanson was also selected to Pro Bowl.

On January 20, 2012, Bonamego was hired as special teams coordinator of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Green Bay Packers

In 2003, Bonamego joined the Green Bay Packers as the special teams coordinator and served in that capacity for three seasons under Mike Sherman. The club had four game-winning field goals in 2004, [4] the most by the team since the 1970 merger. In 2005, [5] the Packers had the NFL's longest punt return for a touchdown (85 yards vs. Chicago), didn't allow a return touchdown, blocked two PATs and a field goal attempt and ranked fifth in the NFC in punt return average.

New Orleans Saints

In 2006, Bonamego was hired by Sean Payton as special teams coordinator for the New Orleans Saints and held the job for two seasons. Bonamego is remembered for calling for what turned out to be a successful blocked punt by Steve Gleason in the first game at the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina. [6] New Orleans finished 2006 tied for 10th in the NFL in the annual special teams rankings formulated by The Dallas Morning News. [7] The Saints ranked sixth in the NFL in opponent punt return average (7.0) and fourth in the NFC in kickoff return average (23.0). New Orleans did not allow a kickoff return of more than 40 yards and the longest punt return the special teams surrendered was 31 yards. Bonamego returned to the Saints for the 2011 season as the assistant special teams coordinator. [8]

Miami Dolphins

After two seasons in New Orleans, replaced special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong for the Miami Dolphins and first-year head coach Tony Sparano. Bonamego and Sparano had previously coached together with the Jaguars from in 2002 when Sparano was tight ends coach. Bonamego held the job for two plus seasons.

Central Michigan Chippewas

On February 9, 2015, Bonamego was introduced as the 28th football head coach in the history of Central Michigan University. Bonamego is the first alum to serve as Central Michigan's head coach since Bill Kelly from 1951 to 1966. This was Bonamego's first head coaching position and his first college coaching position since he served as an assistant for Army from 1993 to 1998. Bonamego signed a five-year contract worth $350,000 annually with an additional $125,000 for radio and television appearances.

On November 23, 2018, Bonamego was fired by Central Michigan after the team suffered the worst season in team history. [9]

Detroit Lions

Bonamego spent two seasons – 2013 and 2014 with the Detroit Lions as the special teams coordinator. He awarded "Bono Gear" to players who stood out on special teams. [10] He also handed out traveling trophies after every Lions victory to the special-teams player who led in categories like blocks, tackles or being the first player down to cover kickoffs.

Following his departure after the 2014 season, the Detroit Lions announced on January 22, 2019 that they had re-hired Bonamego as their special teams coordinator. [11]

Los Angeles Rams

After his release after one season with the Detroit Lions on December 31, 2019, [12] the Los Angeles Rams announced on February 10, 2020, that they have hired Bonamego as their special teams coach. [13] He was shifted to senior coaching assistant on February 23, 2021. [14] Bonamego won his first Super Bowl when the Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI. [15]

After coaching 19 years in the NFL and 19 years at college programs, Bonamego announced his retirement on February 17, 2023. [16]

Head coaching record

YearTeamOverallConferenceStandingBowl/playoffs
Central Michigan Chippewas (Mid-American Conference)(2015–2018)
2015 Central Michigan 7–66–2T–1st (West)L Quick Lane
2016 Central Michigan 6–73–55th (West)L Miami Beach
2017 Central Michigan 8–56–2T–2nd (West)L Famous Idaho Potato
2018 Central Michigan 1–110–86th (West)
Central Michigan:22–2915–17
Total:22–29
      National championship        Conference title        Conference division title or championship game berth

Related Research Articles

Az-Zahir Ali Hakim is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the San Diego State Aztecs. He was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the fourth round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He also was a member of the Detroit Lions, New Orleans Saints, San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins, and Las Vegas Locomotives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Christiansen</span> American football player and coach (1928–1986)

John LeRoy Christiansen was an American professional football player who became a college and pro coach. He played professionally in the National Football League (NFL) for the Detroit Lions as a safety and return specialist from 1951 to 1958. He helped lead the Lions to three NFL championships in 1952, 1953, and 1957 and was a first-team All-NFL player in six of his eight years in the league. He led the NFL in interceptions in 1953 and 1957 and in punt returns for touchdown in 1951, 1952, 1954, and 1956. His eight career punt returns for touchdowns was an NFL record until 1989 and remains the fourth best in league history. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1970.

Aaron Devone Glenn is an American football coach and former cornerback who is the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the defensive backs coach for the New Orleans Saints from 2016 to 2020 and also served as an assistant coach for the Cleveland Browns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ronald Curry</span> American football player and coach (born 1979)

Ronald Antonio Curry is an American football coach and former wide receiver who is the quarterbacks coach for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as an assistant coach for the San Francisco 49ers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don Doll</span> American football player and coach (1926–2010)

Donald LeRoy Doll, also known as Don Burnside, was an American football player and coach.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Lombardi</span> American football player and coach (born 1971)

Joseph Philip Lombardi is an American football coach and former player who is the offensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Chargers. Lombardi also previously served as an assistant coach for the Atlanta Falcons. He is the grandson of Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Devin Hester</span> American football player (born 1982)

Devin Devorris Hester Sr. is an American former football wide receiver and return specialist who played in the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes, where he was the first player in the university's recent history to play in all three phases of American football: offense, defense and special teams. In addition to Chicago, Hester also played for the Atlanta Falcons, the Baltimore Ravens and the Seattle Seahawks over his 11-season NFL career. He is also the first and only player to return the opening kick of a Super Bowl for a touchdown, accomplishing that in Super Bowl XLI. He is regarded as one of the greatest return specialists in NFL history.

Melvin Junius Gray is an American former professional football player who was a kick returner in the National Football League (NFL). He played with the New Orleans Saints, Detroit Lions, Houston/Tennessee Oilers and Philadelphia Eagles. He began his professional career for the Los Angeles Express of the United States Football League (USFL), following his college football career as a running back at Purdue. Gray attended Lafayette High School in Williamsburg, Virginia, where he was teammates with future NFL players Lawrence Taylor and Ron Springs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Michigan Chippewas football</span> Football team of Central Michigan University

The Central Michigan Chippewas are a college football program in Division I FBS, representing Central Michigan University (CMU). CMU has the 30th highest overall winning percentage of programs playing in NCAA Division I.

Charles John Priefer is an American former football coach who held a variety of defensive and special teams coaching positions at the college and professional levels of the sport, including 17 seasons in the National Football League (NFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Barry</span> American football coach (born 1970)

Joe Barry is an American football coach who is the linebackers coach and run game coordinator for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). His career includes having served as the assistant head coach and linebackers coach for the Los Angeles Rams, as well as serving as the defensive coordinator for the Washington Redskins, Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers. Barry also previously served as an assistant coach for the San Diego Chargers, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the San Francisco 49ers. Barry is the son of former coach Mike Barry.

Tyrone Christopher Hughes is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for the New Orleans Saints, Chicago Bears, and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Miami Dolphins season</span> 43rd season in franchise history; greatest single-season turnaround in NFL history

The 2008 Miami Dolphins season was the franchise's 39th season in the National Football League (NFL), the 43rd overall and the first under new head coach Tony Sparano. During the regular season the Dolphins completed the greatest single-season turnaround in NFL history, going from a 1–15 regular season record in 2007 to an 11–5 record in 2008. The previous record for most improved team one year after a 1–15 season belonged to the 1997 New York Jets, who went 9–7. The 1999 Indianapolis Colts were the only other team to accomplish a 10-game turnaround, winning 13 games after winning 3 in 1998, which was also the first year of the Peyton Manning era. Additionally, Miami won the AFC East, becoming the first team in NFL history to win their division after only having one win the previous season. The division title also snapped the Patriots' 5-year streak of winning the AFC East. Their season would come to an end in the Wild Card round when they were defeated by the Baltimore Ravens, which coincidentally, was also the only team they beat last season in overtime to save the Dolphins from suffering a winless season. With their 11–5 record and division title, the Dolphins had hopes of achieving their first playoff victory since 2000, or to possibly become the first team ever to make the Super Bowl after winning only one game the previous season, similar to how the Carolina Panthers went 1–15 in 2001 and made Super Bowl XXXVIII just two seasons later.

Anthony Earl Oden is an American football coach and former player who is the senior defensive assistant and cornerbacks coach for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as an assistant coach for the San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints and Houston Texans. Oden played college football at Baldwin–Wallace College.

Darren Rizzi is an American football coach who is the assistant head coach and special teams coordinator for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). Prior to this, he was the Miami Dolphins special teams coordinator. He was one of few Miami coaches to see multiple regimes. He even interviewed for the head coach position for the Dolphins after the 2018 season. After Miami hired head coach Brian Flores, they decided to move on from Rizzi. Before the NFL, he was the head coach of the University of New Haven Chargers football team from 1999 to 2001 and the Rhode Island Rams football team in 2008. He compiled an overall record of 18–23.

Akwasi Owusu-Ansah is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars, Oakland Raiders, and Detroit Lions. He also was a member of the Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was drafted in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Cowboys. He played college football at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Dave Fipp is an American football coach who is the special teams coordinator for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Larry Pasquale</span> American football player

Larry Pasquale is a former American and Canadian football coach, and sports broadcaster. His 39-year football coaching career included jobs with multiple teams in the National Football League (NFL), Canadian Football League (CFL), and several college and high school football teams. During his career, he was regarded as one of the most respected special teams coaches in the NFL, earning Special Teams Coach of the Year Honors. After retiring from coaching, Pasquale enjoyed an eight-year career as a television and radio sports broadcaster.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick Bellore</span> American football player (born 1989)

Nicholas Lalonde Bellore is an American football linebacker and fullback for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Central Michigan, and signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2011. Bellore played linebacker for his first six seasons in the NFL before being converted to a fullback for the Detroit Lions in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamal Agnew</span> American football player (born 1995)

Jamal Agnew is an American football wide receiver and return specialist for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at San Diego. On September 26, 2021, he tied the NFL record for the longest play with a 109 yard return off a missed field goal.

References

  1. ↑ Jahnke, James. "CMU's Bonamego has 'very treatable' cancer". Detroit Free Press . Retrieved June 18, 2015.
  2. ↑ Manzullo, Brian. "CMU's Bonamego finishes cancer radiation treatment". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved August 21, 2015.
  3. ↑ "John Bonamego's day: Fights cancer, lives dream, eyes Oklahoma State". September 2, 2015.
  4. ↑ "CMUCHIPPEWAS.COM John Bonamego Named Head Football Coach - Official Athletic Site Official Athletic Site - Football". www.cmuchippewas.com. Archived from the original on September 9, 2015.
  5. ↑ "New Orleans Saints: John Bonamego". www.neworleanssaints.com. Archived from the original on December 27, 2011.
  6. ↑ "The story behind Steve Gleason's blocked punt, as told by its key players".
  7. ↑ "New Orleans Saints: John Bonamego". www.neworleanssaints.com. Archived from the original on December 27, 2011.
  8. ↑ "New Orleans Saints: John Bonamego". www.neworleanssaints.com. Archived from the original on December 27, 2011.
  9. ↑ Thomas, Chris (November 23, 2018). "Central Michigan fires John Bonamego after historically bad 1-11 season". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  10. ↑ "Lions' John Bonamego has his own 'Bono Gear' for players".
  11. ↑ "Bonamego back with Lions as special teams coordinator". Associated Press . January 23, 2019.
  12. ↑ "Lions part ways with John Bonamego, six assistants". NFL.com .
  13. ↑ "Report: Ex-Lions coach John Bonamego hired by Rams as special teams coach". February 10, 2020.
  14. ↑ Jackson, Stu (February 23, 2021). "Rams finalize 2021 coaching staff". TheRams.com. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
  15. ↑ "Super Bowl LVI - Los Angeles Rams vs. Cincinnati Bengals - February 13th, 2022". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  16. ↑ "John Bonamego, longtime NFL assistant and former CMU coach, retiring". ESPN.com . February 17, 2023. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.