- Steve Buratto
Steve Buratto is a
Canadian Football League coach who is the currentOffensive Coordinator of theToronto Argonauts .Buratto’s pro coaching career started in 1980 as the
Offensive Line Coach for theSaskatchewan Roughriders . In 1983, he became theDefensive Coordinator for theB.C. Lions , where his team lost to the Argonauts in theGrey Cup final. He was named Head Coach of theCalgary Stampeders in 1984. After a 6-10 record and a last place finish in the West Division, he was fired and replaced byBob Vespaziani . In 1986 he returned to B.C. as their Co-Offensive Coordinator/Defensive Coordinator. After a 7 year hiatus, he returned to coaching in 1993 as the Offensive Line Coach for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He then helped build one of the greatest offences in league history as Offensive Coordinator of theBaltimore Stallions . In 1994 and 1995 the team made back-to-back Grey Cup appearances.In 2000 he became receivers coach for the Lions, however only held the job for a few weeks as he was promoted to head coach after head coach
Greg Mohns resigned to join theXFL . Over the team's final 12 games he led the Lions to a 6-6 record, good enough for a spot in the playoffs. In the Division Semifinals B.C. upset theEdmonton Eskimos 34-32 at Commonwealth Stadium. In the Division Finals, the Lions traveled toMcMahon Stadium where they defeated the 12-5 Calgary Stampeders 37-23. In the88th Grey Cup , the Lions faced the 12-6Montreal Alouettes . Despite being an underdog, the Lions held the lead throughout the game and won 28-26. The Lions, who finished with an 8-10 record during the regular season, became the first team ever to finish with a regular season record below .500 and win the Grey Cup.Buratto was retained by the Lions for the 2001 season, going 8-10 and losing to Calgary in the Division Semifinals. After a 1-5 start in 2002, Buratto was replaced by General Manager
Adam Rita .Buratto became the Lions’ Offensive Coordinator in 2003 and in 2004, helped guide his team to the Grey Cup. In 2005 he joined Tom Higgins staff in Calgary as Offensive Coordinator. After being let go by the Stampeders, the Argonauts hired Buratto to replaced the fired
Kent Austin as Offensive Coordinator.Steve is married to Judy and they make
Boise, Idaho their off-season home. Steve has three children from a previous marriage, Steve Jr., Dina, and Jill. As the starting centre for theIdaho Vandals football squad, he played withJerry Campbell andDon Matthews .CFL Coaching Record
External links
* [http://www.argonauts.ca/Argos/Team/ClubDirectory/buratto_steve.html Toronto Argonauts profile]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.