Offensive/Associate Coach

Ever wonder what BC Lions former Head Coaches do following the release at the pro ranks in the CFL or even south of the 49th?

Well this is a good news story for former BC Lions Head Coach and Grey Cup Champion as Steve Buratto will join the UBC Thunderbirds football team as the program’s Offensive Coordinator and Associate Head Coach.

Having over 40 years of coaching experience, he (Buratto) rejoins UBC Head Coach Blake Nill, who he worked with for the past two seasons as Offensive Line Coach at the University of Calgary.

“In terms of understanding the game there is no one that is able to adapt and teach quite like Steve,” said Nill. “He is an outstanding communicator, who’s biggest strength is the ability to teach athletes at this stage of their career.”

No stranger to football in British Columbia, Buratto has had multiple stints working with the BC Lions, most notably leading the Lions to a Grey Championship in 2000.

He previously was head coach of the Calgary Stampeders in the mid-80’s and also worked for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Baltimore Stallions, Toronto Argonauts, and Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

During his coaching career, which began in the late 1960’s, Buratto has coached high school, US college, Canadian college, and in the CFL.

An offensive lineman during his playing days, he was a three-year starter at centre for the University of Idaho where he graduated with a Bachelor of Education degree, with a major in foreign language, and also has a Masters degree in Physical Education.

He earned a try out with the Green Bay Packers in 1966 and 1967, but was unsuccessful.

Those years the Packers were coached by the legendary Vince Lombardi and Green Bay won Super Bowl I and II.

“Steve’s approach with university athletes is very efficient, they just gravitate to him and  he will make a big difference in changing the culture here at UBC,” said Nill.

Thanks to UBC for the info and we wish Steve all the best for his future, whatever it might hold for him.