Thomas Cocuzza Profile
Thomas Cocuzza
Head Coach (2006 - Present)
Courtesy: Princeton Athletic Communications
Release: 08/03/2006
Thomas Cocuzza, who coached Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Tommy Maddox
in the Arena Football League, was named the head coach of sprint football
at Princeton University this spring. Cocuzza inherits a team that snapped
a long losing streak with a win over Virginia Military Institute last
season. The Tigers compete along with Penn, Cornell, Army and Navy in
the Collegiate Sprint Football League.
"I know it's football," Cocuzza says. "I suspect it will be a little
more teaching, but it's nothing to be afraid of. I know what I'm up
against, but I look at it as a challenge. I know the kids play to the
end, which puts me at ease. I spoke with some of the coaches from last
year, and they told me there's no quit in these kids. Hopefully, we
can learn some lessons for life and win some games along the way."
Cocuzza comes to Princeton from Kean University, where he served as
offensive coordinator under his father, Charles, while finishing his
degree in computer science.
Cocuzza has also coached with the Atlantic City Cardsharks of the National
Indoor Football League and the New Jersey Red Dogs of the Arena Football
League, where the roster included Maddox and another current NFL player,
New Orleans returnman Michael Lewis. He has also been the head coach
at Essex Catholic High School.