- Paul Failla (athlete)
NFL player
Color=#f7923a
fontcolor=black
Name=Paul Failla
ImageWidth=
DateOfBirth=birth date and age|1972|12|8
Position=Quarterback
number=5
Height_ft=6
Height_in=2
Weight_lbs=190
status=Not active
College=University of Notre Dame Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Career Highlights=
CFLAllStar=
Awards=
playing_years=1999 2000 2001
playing_teams=New Jersey Red Dogs (AFL)Carolina Panthers (NFL)Chicago Enforcers (XFL )
coaching_years=2002-2005 2006
coaching_teams=Saint Francis University (OC)Indiana University of Pennsylvania (OC) |Paul J. Failla (born
December 8 ,1972 ) is a formerAmerican football andbaseball player and coach.College
Failla was recruited out of
North Allegheny Senior High School inWexford, Pennsylvania by theUniversity of Notre Dame , where he was a two-sport athlete, playingshortstop for thebaseball team, and backing up startingquarterback sRick Mirer andKevin McDougal on the football team for three years, from 1991-1993. When it became clear that he would not win the starting quarterback job in 1994, he entered theMajor League Baseball Draft , and was selected by theCalifornia Angels in the third round.Following stints with the
Boise Hawks , theCedar Rapids Kernels and theLake Elsinore Storm in the minor-league system, he decided to return to school in 1998, and used his final year of NCAA eligibility playing quarterback at theIndiana University of Pennsylvania , where he led the team to a 10-2 record and a playoff berth.Professional
After his graduation from IUP, Failla signed with the
Arena Football League 'sNew Jersey Red Dogs in 1999, and with theNational Football League 'sCarolina Panthers in 2000, but failed to record a stat with either team. In 2001, he was drafted by theChicago Enforcers of the fledglingXFL with the ninth overall selection, but lost the starting quarterback job to fellow Notre Dame alumKevin McDougal .After the XFL folded at the conclusion of its first and only season, Failla accepted the position of
offensive coordinator atSaint Francis University , where in the 2005 season his offense set school records for passing yards (3223), total offense (4479) and touchdowns (37). Failla groomed multiple all-conference players including quarterback Anthony Doria (NEC offensive player of the year), wide receiver Luke Palko, running back Todd Harris, andDivision I-AA All-American wide receiver Micheal Caputo. Under Failla, Palko and Caputo tied the NCAA Division I record for most passes caught by two teammates in a career. He then returned to his alma mater at IUP in February 2006 as the offensive coordinator underhead coach Lou Tepper , but resigned three months later to pursue business interests. He is currently featured as a regular guest on Pittsburgh's "KDKA Sports Showdown ".
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