A member of Penn State football’s first national championship team is returning to his alma mater, joining the staff.
After 11 seasons as the head coach at the University Of Albany, Greg Gattuso, who started at defensive tackle on Penn State’s 1982 national champions, is returning to his alma mater as an analyst.
His official title will be “defensive line consultant” under first-year DC Jim Knowles.
Roger Wyland, the voice of Albany football, first reported this news Wednesday afternoon, and Albany confirmed it later with a press conference.
Head coach Greg Gattuso is leaving UAlbany after 11 seasons and returning to his Alma mater Penn State as a defensive line consultant and to work closely with new Defensive Coordinator Jim Knowles. Press conference set for later today @WNYT
— Rodger Wyland (@RodgerWyland) February 5, 2025
This is the third Penn State staff update that’s been posted Wednesday. Shane Eachus, who was a defensive graduate assistant when Knowles was the coordinator ar Oklahoma State, and Brent Zdebski, who was a quality control assistant who worked under Knowles at Ohio State, are now on coach James Franklin’s staff.
Staff Update: Penn State Adds 2 Analysts With Ties to Jim Knowles
This one hits Penn State fans a little differently since Gattuso was already part of the family.
A NATIONAL CHAMP
The 1982 national champions are right there amongst the most beloved teams in Penn State history and Gattuso played a big part, starting in the middle of Penn State’s defense. Gattuso, a Pittsburgh guy who played at Seton LaSalle and was the head coach at Duquesne from 1993-2004– going 97-32 and 67-7 in conference play— also took joy in beating Pitt during that 1982 season.
“I can’t even, it’s really hard to put into words,” Gattuso told Johnny McGonigal of the Centre Daily Times in 2017. “I’m not sure there was a big break between the small towns. It felt like the whole drive back to Penn State was lined with people. They pulled us in and took us into a stadium in Harrisburg. I don’t even know where we were. That was packed. The seniors spoke. Everyone cheered. The drive back up, all these little towns, their volunteer fire department or police cars had their lights on and escorting us through town.”
GATTUSO’S RESUME
26 December 2009: Panther Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Line Coach Greg Gattuso hugs nose tackle Gus Mustakas (93) and tackle Mick Williams (95) before the University of Pittsburgh Panthers 19 to 17 victory over the University of North Carolina Tar Heels in the Meineke Car Care Bowl at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Here’s Gattuso’s full coaching resume (HC unless noted).
- 1984: Penn State (GA)
- 1985: Seton-LaSalle HS (PA, JV)
- 1986: Center Township HS (PA, DC)
- 1987: Duquesne (DL)
- 1989-91: Seton LaSalle
- 1992: Duquesne (DC)
- 1993-04: Duquesne (97-32, eight conference titles, 2003 consensus national title)
- 2005: Pitt (TE coach, recruiting coordinator)
- 2006-07: Pitt (DL)
- 2008-10: Pitt (AHC/DL)
- 2011: Maryland (DL)
- 2012-13: Maryland (AHC/DL
- 2014-24: Albany (54-69 overall record, 2023 CAA title)
- 2025: Penn State (DL Consultant)
Penn State opens the 2025 season against Nevada at Beaver Stadium Saturday, Aug. 30.
