Q&A With a Superbowl Coach
An interview with Mike Cerullo '86 – Assistant Coach of the New Orleans Saints
How did it feel to be a part of the winning Superbowl Team? Would you rank this as one of your proudest achievements?
It is a moment I will never forget. It was so surreal, and still hasn't sunk in yet. Super Bowl Champs! Definitely the proudest moment in my life and career.
What are some of your responsibilities with the Saints?
I am the defensive assistant. My main responsibilities include working with linebackers on the field, along with working in the office responsible for playbooks, player scouting reports, film break down, and game plans. I work hand in hand with defensive coordinator Gregg Williams putting all of the defensive parts of the game together. I guess I am a jack-of-all-trades.
Do you spend much time working with the players? If so, who are the best to work with?
With the Saints I worked two years on offense and this last year on defense with the linebackers. My best linebackers to work with are Jonathan Vilma, Scott Shanle, and Scott Fujita. On offense was Jeremy Shockey, Reggie Bush, and Drew Brees.
How did you get to work in the NFL? What kind of qualities do you think are good for a professional level football Coach to have?
I worked my way up from high school, to small college, to Division 1 college, and eventually working as an NFL intern. I got a break with the Saints about three years ago. It has been eighteen years in the making. Important qualities to work in the NFL as a coach are being a hard worker, a go-getter, and never taking no for an answer. I got here by never quitting. Keep plugging away and never let anyone tell you what you can or can't be. I heard I would never make it to the NFL, and now I have a Super Bowl ring to show those people.
If a young man at BA aspires to be a pro-football player, how can he stand out among the crowd?
Well, genetics helps. Coaches cannot affect the gene pool so to say. Get into a good college program and dedicate yourself to being a student-athlete first. The football part will take more effort, desire, and self-motivation than you can imagine. Very few have what it takes to make it to the NFL. But, don't give up the dream…I have seen guys who are lesser athletes but make the NFL and stay in for years over a greater athlete who has no character.
What is the best part about working for the Saints? What is the hardest part?
The best part is coming to work and doing something I love. I work with great guys, and the players are all great kids. We don't have one guy on our team that is a "problem child" so to say, and it makes work enjoyable. We all have the same goals. The hardest part is the long hours during the season. This season was seven months start to finish. That's seven months of working seven days a week, 15-18 hrs a day until the Super Bowl ended. It's hard, but it's what I love to do, and it never feels like work.
What do you do in your free time?
Sleep! I am recently married, so enjoying time with the kids and wife getting settled.
Do you feel that Bridgton prepared you for college and your eventual career in football?
BA was the best decision I have ever made in my life. Bridgton prepared me for college and life. I cannot say enough great things about the school and faculty when I was there. I have life-long friends to this day from BA, and will always push BA and what they teach to anyone that will listen.
What did you like best at Bridgton?
The small classroom settings that helped me learn how to study, along with the extra- curricular activities, there was always something to do.
Who were your favorite faculty members?
Both Tom Austin and Joe Daley stood out during my year, and are still my friends today.
If you could give one piece of advice to the students at BA today, what would it be?
Take advantage of all that BA has to offer. Bridgton will make an ever-lasting impression to your life - you just don't know that yet. Take it from someone who knows…
Mike Cerullo and his family reside in New Orleans. While at Bridgton, he played on both the football and baseball teams, along with managing the basketball team. He came to BA in the fall of 1985 from Masconomet High School in Massachusetts. After graduating from BA in May, 1986, he went on to earn his degree from Central Connecticut State University.
Many Laughs at Fifth Annual Alumni & Parent Hockey Game
The Wolverine mascot was perhaps the only person not breaking a sweat at this year's Alumni & Parent Hockey Game on Saturday, December 5th. Over twenty skaters took part in the game including alumni, past parents, current parents, and faculty members. The score was close for much of the game, with hat tricks earned by players on both sides. Goalies Joe Daley '77 and Anthony Greely '96 were certainly busy, and the alumni were not shy about taking shots on goal. As is now tradition, faculty member Pete Gately provided running commentary on the game, including a few hockey jokes and the award for tackiest hockey socks. During a break between periods, the Wolverine donned skates (perhaps for the first-time ever?) and took a few shots on Joe Daley '77. Alumnus Ray Ruggieri '61 of Florida dropped the puck along with Headmaster Grady Vigneau. Despite the snowy conditions, a number of alumni, parents, and friends stayed for a post-game reception and dinner before watching the 2010 Wolverine Hockey game later that night. Thank you to all that attended this year's game, and we hope to see you again next year. A special thanks to Justin Ward, owner of Bridgton Books, for volunteering as a referee for the game.
2009 Alumni & Parent Hockey Game Participants:
Black Team-
Teddi Jann-Covell (Mom of Casey Covell '10)
Mike Meserve (Asst. Hockey Coach)
Jonathan Lounsbury '01 (Head Hockey Coach)
Garrett Bamann '00 (Head Lacrosse Coach)
Marc Branchaud '85 – Honorary Team Captain
Ron Eubanks (Father of Sean Eubanks '10)
Dave Lepage (Faculty Member)
Brian Krikorian (Stepfather of George Costa '10)
David Maher '58
Eric Green '94
Joe Daley '77 (Goaltender)
White Team:
Jimmy Olson '99
Jeff Ray '88
Jimmy Olson Sr. (Parent of Jimmy '99)
Eric Clemmenson '09
Charles Bourque (Father of Corbin Bourque '10)
Johnny Olson
Richard Harris '71
David Craft '77 – Honorary Team Captain
Paul Carlow '90
Gridiron Sightings & End of Season Tailgate
There hasn't been a shortage of alumni at recent Bridgton football games. The following alumni were spotted by BA coaches over the past few weeks – sorry if we missed you! At the October 25th game, JD Blue '08 and his father, John, were in attendance, and working as a line judge was 1988 alumnus Dexter McKenzie, who serves as a probation officer during his day job. The following week at Yale, Bill O'Brien, the father of Greg O'Brien '94 came out to see this year's football team in action. Bill has gone to almost every BA-Yale game since his son's graduation in 1994. Also checking out the Wolverines was alumnus Dayne Hoffman '07, the quarterback at Stonybrook University, and the parents of Sean Bostic Sealy '09, also a football alum who now plays at Pace. The Ivy League sightings continued at Columbia, where Vinny Marino '88 works as an offensive coordinator for the Lion's football team. NYC residents Andy Barr '99 and his father, Ed, both came for the game, along with former faculty member and football coach, Tony Wright.
The '09-'10 football Wolverines wrapped up their season on November 14th with a game against Saint Anselm College. Local alumni were invited to tailgate, and we were happy to see more than ten Bridgton grad's out and about at the game. The Bridgton-Saint A's connection runs deep in recent years, with two BA alumni serving as football coaches on the Hawks staff. Patrick Murphy '91 has been the head coach for a number of years, and recently brought fellow Wolverine Rob Eggerling '97 onto his staff. Murphy and Eggerling, along with the entire Saint Anselm institution, appreciate recruiting Bridgton graduates, as they seem well prepared for Saint A's both on and off the field from day one.
At the tailgate reception, Saint Anselm Athletic Director, Dr. Jo-Ann Nester, said that she looks forward to continuing to build the Bridgton-Saint A's relationship, and although new to her job, feels that BA students seem to be a good fit to the Saint Anselm program. Several Wolverines now attend the college including Marc Wilson '08, Bryant Lane '07, Ethan Sylvain '09, and Joe Robichaud '09, all members of the football squad. In just two years, Wilson has become the school's all-time leader in all-purpose yards, and last year was named as freshman of the year. This honor is now shared by Sylvain, who was selected as co-Freshman of the Year by the Northeast 10 committee this November. Other alumni in attendance included Kyle Snow '05, who recently graduated with a degree in engineering, Bob O'Sullivan '84, and Vinny Orlando '77. BA football coaches Joe Daley '77, Pat Shairs '02, and Matt Burgess '88 also attended the tailgate. A special thank you was presented by Coach Joe Daley '77 to current parents Cathy and Bob Benzing, Chip and Dora MacLeod, and Jill and Dave Parenteau, who coordinated the amazing tailgates provided to players and families throughout the entire season. A special thanks to all alumni and parents who joined us for games throughout the season, and we look forward to seeing you at future games. (Pictured L-R Matt Burgess '88, Rob Eggerling '97, Patrick Murphy '91, Joe Daley '77, and Pat Shairs '02.)
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Plenty of History at Curry College Game
49 years of Bridgton Academy history was represented at the recent BA-Curry College football game on September 20th. Current football parents put on a wonderful tailgate following the 28-18 Wolverine victory. The Admission Office was also busy at work, welcoming a handful of prospective 2011 families to the reception. The prospective families had the opportunity to learn more about BA from not only faculty and coaches, but alumni, parents, and friends as well. Former BA football coach Bud Burbank was also in attendance. Bud's brother, Tom, a 1959 Academy graduate, presented him with a BA football sweatshirt. The Curry game is always a great time, as alumni who now play on the Curry team face-off with the current crop of Bridgton players. Bridgton has changed over the years, going from a four year to school to one that caters solely to the PG (post graduate) student.
The following alumni were seen at the game: (Sorry if we missed you) Jim McGillen '59, George Mullin '59, Bob Weston '59, Tom Burbank '59, Mike Klapman '71 (now a current parent as well), Bob O'Sullivan '84, Skip Bandini '77 (also Curry College's Head Football Coach!), Joe Daley '77, Matt Burgess, Jon Lounsbury '01, Nick Markos '00, Pat Shairs '02, Wil Colon '04 (whose brother, Kevin, is a member of the Class of 2010), Jamal Woods '06, Maurice Rodriguez '06, Jason Ryan '07, and David Bonaparte '08. Be sure to check the Wolverine athletic schedules for a game near you!
Nice Weather and Company at Alumni Picnic
On Tuesday, September 8th, the Bridgton Academy Alumni office invited local graduates to the annual picnic, always held the first Tuesday after Labor Day. This year marks the 26th anniversary of the picnic tradition, first started by the late Celia Tarbox Ballard '30. Thank you for all who joined us for a nice outing.
Fun Time At Annual Alumni Summer Luncheon
The Annual Alumni Summer Luncheon was held at Trailside Restaurant in Bridgton on Friday, August 14th. Over forty alumni and guests attended the lunch, enjoying good food and company. Co-hosted by Bridgton Academy and alumna Norma Doody '42, the get-together is an opportunity for local alumni from older years to visit before many head south for the winter. BA staffers in attendance included Grady Vigneau, Chris Harlow, Julie Knapp, Joe Daley '77, Fletcher Carr, and Jessica Priola. Headmaster Vigneau provided a brief talk updating guests on Bridgton's summer and fall plans, and Director of Development Chris Harlow awarded raffle prizes to Margaret Buck Caswell '44, Phil Denison '48, Bill Haynes '41, and Phil Bradford '47. Bridgton had a wonderful time hosting this event, and look forward to doing so next year. Thank you to all who attended.