Tag: Tino Sunseri

Washington State running back to visit UCLA, USC, and Utah

The Bruins pick up a visit from a talented tailback.

The UCLA Bruins lost running back T.J. Harden to the transfer portal this week but already have their sights set on their next potential tailback.

Washington State freshman Wayshawn Parker entered the transfer portal this week after a breakout season with the Cougars. Parker rushed for 735 yards and four touchdowns in 2024, averaging an impressive 5.4 yards per carry.

According to Pete Nakos of On3 (subscription required), the former Washington State tailback is set to visit UCLA, USC, and Utah.

In 2024, the Bruins averaged a Big Ten-worst 86.6 yards per game behind a questionable offensive line. With lots of room for improvement and a wide-open depth chart, UCLA offers a lot of playing potential for a running back like Parker.

Under new offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri, who helped the Indiana Hoosiers rush for over 2,000 yards and a whopping 37 rushing touchdowns this season, the Bruins should see a massive improvement in the running game, with Parker potentially playing a big role if he transfers to Westwood.

UCLA football nabs four-star quarterback after new coorindator hire

The Bruins added a new quarterback for 2025.

It has been a whirlwind week for the UCLA Bruins football team. After closing their season with a win over Fresno State, the Bruins fired offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and hired former Indiana co-offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri.

In the fallout of Bieniemy’s firing, UCLA lost the commitment of four-star quarterback Madden Iamaleava. Bolting for Arkansas, Iamaleava seemed to leave a significant hole in the Bruins 2025 recruiting class.

That said, the Bruins added a four-star quarterback from the class of 2025 on Thursday. According to Pete Thamel of ESPN, the Bruins picked up the commitment of Robert McDaniel, a four-star recruit from Hughson, California. McDaniel ranks 31st among quarterbacks in the nation and chose UCLA over Arizona, citing his relationship with Sunseri.

Given Sunseri and McDaniel’s relationship, Bruins fans have good reason to be optimistic going into 2025. With an established connection, Sunseri and McDaniel should work well together in the future as the Bruins look to rebuild their roster following their first season in the Big Ten.

Who is UCLA football’s new offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri?

Getting to know UCLA’s latest offensive coordinator.

The UCLA Bruins made two massive decisions today, firing offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and hiring former Indiana coordinator Tino Sunseri.

Sunseri spent the 2024 college football season as the co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in Bloomington, helping the Hoosiers to an 11-1 record in the Big Ten and, for now, a spot in the College Football Playoff. The Bruins’ newest offensive coordinator, Sunseri, also boasts an impressive resume and football background.

Sunseri was a three-year starting quarterback at the University of Pittsburgh and enjoyed a short stint with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Canadien Football League, winning a Grey Cup in 2013. 

After his playing career, Sunseri spent time at Florida State, Tennessee, and Alabama. As a graduate assistant with the Crimson Tide, Sunseri worked closely with future first-round quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones and won a College Football Championship in 2020. Sunseri later became the quarterbacks coach for James Madison before moving on to Indiana.

But Sunseri’s football life does not end there, as he is the son of four-time National Champion and current Colorado defensive tackles coach Sal Sunseri and the brother of Washington safeties coach Vinne Sunseri.

Sunseri has spent his entire life in and around football and finally gets to take the reins of an offense all by himself in Westwood. Though there may still be growing pains for the 35-year-old coordinator, the Bruins offense should improve in 2025 despite some surprising moves along the roster.

UCLA hires Indiana quartbacks coach as new offensive coordinator

The Bruins have found their next offensive coordinator.

The UCLA Bruins football season may have only ended last Saturday, but there have already been some significant coaching staff changes.

After an alleged “mutual parting” between UCLA and former offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, the Bruins have already found their replacement.

According to Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times, the Bruins hired Tino Sunseri, the former co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Indiana Hoosiers. At Indiana, Sunseri helped lead one of the most prolific offenses in the Big Ten, ranking fourth in total offense and averaging 438.8 yards per game during the regular season.

Sunseri notably gashed the stout Bruins defense in Week 3 of the 2024 season, scoring 42 points and generating over 400 yards of total offense in the blowout win. On the other hand, against Indiana, Bieniemy’s offense only garnered a mere 238 yards and 13 points.

Though the circumstances of Bieniemy’s firing may raise some eyebrows, the Bruins welcome a young coordinator with higher upside and better Big Ten production.

With the Bruins ranking dead last in rushing in the Big Ten, Sunseri offers a fresh face and some notable changes to UCLA’s underwhelming offense.

Former Vols’ quality control analyst expected to be hired at Indiana

Former Tennessee football quality control analyst expected to be hired at Indiana.

Curt Cignetti was hired as Indiana’s head coach on Thursday.

“I am very excited to welcome Curt Cignetti as the head football coach at Indiana University,” Indiana athletics director Scott Dolson said. “We had a very talented and deep pool of candidates, and Curt stood out thanks to an incredible track record of success over more than four decades in college football. As a head coach he’s succeeded everywhere he’s been, and as an assistant he has been a part of championship cultures while working alongside some of the game’s best coaches.”

Cignetti served as head coach at James Madison (2019-23), Elon (2017-18) and Indiana University of Pennsylvania (2011-16).

Cignetti is expected to hire former Tennessee quality control analyst Tino Sunseri on his Indiana coaching staff, according to 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz. Sunseri was with the Vols in 2018.

He served as quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator at James Madison.

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Alabama football loses another offensive analyst

Alabama offensive analyst Tino Sunseri is leaving Alabama to become the QB coach at James Madison.

Alabama offensive analyst Tino Sunseri continues to climb the coaching ranks. After a successful two-year stint in Tuscaloosa, the son of Sal Sunseri is leaving to become the quarterbacks coach at James Madison University.

That news comes straight from the younger Sunseri, who took to Twitter on Tuesday afternoon to share the news. His statement reads:

“I would like to thank Coach Saban for allowing me to be apart of the Alabama Family for the past two years,” Sunseri said. “Truly has been an unbelievable ride. I will forever be thankful.

“Proud to announce I have accepted the Quarterback Coaching Position at James Madison University #GoDukes”

Losing Sunseri isn’t ideal, but it also isn’t surprising. At only 32 years old, he’s a young, up-and-coming coach who could eventually find his way back to Tuscaloosa — after he gets some valuable experience as a position coach elsewhere.

Prior to his arrival at Alabama, Sunseri spent two seasons as a quality control assistant at Florida State (2016-17) and one at Tennessee (2018). He played his college football at Pitt.

Whether he winds up back in Tuscaloosa or not, Roll Tide Wire wants to wish Sunseri nothing but the best moving forward.

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