The Fallout From A Rotten Month
July 14th, 2009
Former Bucs tight ends coach Bob Casullo was so desperate for a job after he was fired along with Chucky that he had to grovel for a job in one of the worst climates in the country for one of college football's worst programs.
Sometimes it’s easy to forget when a team has a rotten few games, that not only may the losing streak ruin a playoff bid but lives are actually changed.
Take former Bucs tight ends coach Bob Casullo. In November, Casullo was riding high. The Bucs were leading the division and closing in on a playoff berth.
Eight months later, Casullo is living in Syracuse, N.Y., and not really by choice.
When Chucky was fired in January, after the Bucs tanked December and missed the playoffs, so too was Casullo, 58. Soon, he couldn’t find a job. Only one person seemed interested, so writes BSPN.com’s Brian Bennett.
The day after Doug Marrone was hired as Syracuse’s head coach in December, he called Bob Casullo and offered him a spot on his coaching staff.
Casullo told his longtime friend, I’ll think about it. Meaning: Thanks, but no thanks.
At the time of the call, Casullo was an assistant coach on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who were leading the NFC South Division. He was happy in the NFL, and that’s where he planned to stay.
But then Tampa Bay went into the toilet, finishing the season on a four-game losing streak to fall out of the playoff hunt. Jon Gruden and his staff got fired, and Casullo needed a job.
All along, Marrone kept calling every week, urging Casullo to return to his roots. Finally in February, after realizing there were no available NFL jobs he truly wanted, Casullo agreed.
Man, just imagine. You think you are heading into the NFL playoffs and your job — and home — in Florida is safe. Then in a handful of weeks you’re begging for a job in an area with one of the worst winters in America.
Guys like Chucky are fine when they get fired. Joe knows that. Chucky has a potential $15 million parachute. Doesn’t have to do anything but wipe his rear end and brush his teeth for the next three years while he enjoys life in his posh Avila abode. In Florida. In Tampa.
Chucky’s assistants who lost their jobs too? They aren’t as fortunate.
July 14th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
But Joe how is that any different from anyone working for a big company nowadays?
Not everyone at Countrywide was a shister – but when that company went under everyone there lost out.
What about the plant manager at the auto parts plant that had a contract with GM or Chrysler? 2 of the Big 3 go belly up and now the smaller fish down the chain have no where to go either?
I think that Casullo is a LUCKY man – having a friend like Marrone continue to call when he was turned down. Most times after getting that first rejection the offers DON’T continue. Yeah Casullo has to move to snowy Syracuse but that beats hitting the Florida streets unemployed any day of the week.
July 14th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Mr. Lucky:
It’s not but it’s still sad.
Joe thinks coaching just about any high school team locally would have been better than working at Syracuse. At worst, you are still in Florida.
July 14th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
Joe: Heck, could be worse, suppose he had to work on Jim Leavitt’s staff?
July 14th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
so…?
awwww…..
which Joe is a libreral democrat…?
feelings…….oh those feelings….
BF’n deal !
July 15th, 2009 at 12:28 am
My GAWD! The guys gotta job, WTF! You really must be a pampered SOB.
It’s cold up there!?! He’s got work, and much better than working in a ditch or in a McD’s. JEEZ! He’s coaching for Syracuse not the Dodd City Dingbats. Talk about outta touch! Stick to reporting other people’s reports.
July 15th, 2009 at 12:33 am
>>> JEEZ! He’s coaching for Syracuse not the Dodd City Dingbats. <<<
ROTFLMAO @ Dave.
Joe’s not sure the Dodge City Dingbats are any worse that Syracuse.