Ed O'Neil (American football)

"For other persons named Ed O'Neil, see Ed O'Neill (disambiguation)"Infobox NFL player


Color=LightSteelBlue
fontcolor=Black
Name=Ed O'Neil
DateOfBirth=birth date and age|1952|9|8
Birthplace=flagicon|USA Warren, Pennsylvania
DateOfDeath=
Deathplace=
Height_ft=6
Height_in=3
Weight_lbs=236
Position= Linebacker
College= Penn State
DraftedYear= 1974
DraftedRound= 1
DraftedPick=8
PFR=
DatabaseFootball=ONEILED01
NFL =
ESPN =
SportsIllustrated =
years= 1974-1979
1980
teams= Detroit Lions
Green Bay Packers
ProBowls=
CollegeHOF=
HOF=

Edward William O'Neil (born September 8 1952) is a former Canadian football coach in the Canadian Football League and a former professional American football linebacker in the National Football League.

High school and college

O'Neil was named a high school All-American while attending Warren Area High School in Warren, Pennsylvania. From 1970-1973, he played linebacker for coaching legend Joe Paterno at Penn State. A three-year letterman, he was team captain of the Nittany Lions' undefeated 1973 team and was named an All-American that same season.

O'Neil earned a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education from Penn State University in 1974. He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta.

National Football League

O'Neil was a first round draft pick, 8th overall, by the Detroit Lions in the 1974 NFL Draft. He played linebacker for the Lions from 1974-1979 and the Green Bay Packers in 1980.

Coaching

O'Neil was most recently the defensive coordinator for Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League. He was hired March 2, 2007 to replace former coordinator Rod Rust, who now serves as a defensive consultant. Prior to coaching in the CFL, O'Neil spent three seasons as defensive coordinator for NFL Europe's Frankfurt Galaxy (2004-2006). He also coached for the Rhein Fire in 2002 and 2003.

It was as linebackers and special teams coach at Rutgers (1984-1994) that O'Neil first worked for future Frankfurt head coach Dick Curl. From 1996 to 1998, O'Neil was defensive coordinator for the University at Buffalo. He was also on the staff of Eastern Michigan University, followed by a year in Indiana University during 1983.

Personal

O'Neil lives in Pendleton, New York with his wife, Nancy. His eldest son, Kevin O'Neil, played linebacker at Syracuse University. Son Keith, plays in the NFL (Dallas Cowboys, Indianapolis Colts, New York Giants). His son-in law, Drew Haddad, was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the 7th round of the 2000 NFL Draft and played for the Indianapolis Colts and San Diego Chargers after rewriting the record book for receiving as one of the Buffalo Bulls at the University at Buffalo.

External links

* [http://www.ticats.ca/index.php?module=staff&func=display&staff_id=145 Hamilton Tiger-Cats bio page]
* [http://www.nfl.com/players/edo'neil/profile?id=ONE415289 NFL.com player page]