Only six days after joining the staff at Maryland, offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo has already left the Terps to take a position with an NFL team. His NFL destination is unknown at this time, but the school and head coach Randy Edsall announced his departure in a release.
DeGuglielmo had coached in the NFL with the Giants, Dolphins and Jets since leaving the University of South Carolina in 1999 and, citing “family issues,” ultimately decided to return to the professional ranks instead of returning to a collegiate position.
“I was excited about the direction of the Maryland football program and coaching in the Big Ten,” DeGuglielmo said in a statement. “I was looking forward to working with Randy and couldn’t have been more confident in where this program is heading. Because of family issues this is an opportunity I could not pass up.”
This is bad timing for Edsall and company, who had recently completed his staff with the hirings of Keenan McCardell and Chad Wilt in addition to DeGuglielmo. According to the Washington Post, DeGuglielmo, McCardell and Wilt had “spent the week meeting recruits,” and with signing day just two weeks away, it’s important for schools to have a staff in place for potential prospects. Edsall will need to act quickly.
In a statement, Edsall said he will begin the search for DeGuglielmo’s replacement “immediately.”
“I would like to congratulate Dave on this exciting opportunity for his career,” head coach Randy Edsall said. “Dave is a great coach who brings a wealth of experience and will be a valued asset at the next level. We are honored that NFL teams pursue members of our coaching staff as we feel this is a compliment to our program. I will immediately begin the search for Dave’s replacement in an effort to assemble the best possible coaching staff to lead our student-athletes.”
Maryland opted not to name the NFL team that has hired DeGuglielmo, but DeGuglielmo worked with Mike Pettine while both coaches were with the Jets. Pettine interviewed with the Cleveland Browns for a second time Tuesday evening.
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