Ruggiero has called plays on the Division III, Division II, I-AA and FBS levels, including at Group of Five and Power Five schools. He served as a head coach at Glenville State, a Division II school, where he led the school to their first and only playoff appearance. His offenses have ranked in the top 15 nationally at every stop in a career spanning more than 30 years. His longevity in the sport is impressive, but the consistency is eye opening.
Still, you never hear his name come up for big job openings across the country. One reason is he has no desire to be a head coach. He looks back at his two years leading Glenville State fondly, but it’s there he also realized his strengths and weaknesses. He wasn’t built to be a head coach and spending most of his time managing a program rather than coaching players, and so he set a new career goal: become an offensive coordinator in a power conference. Clawson has helped him realize that dream in 13 years together.
“I’ve worked for a lot of people in my time as an assistant coach that have made me miserable. I’ve had some bad experiences,” Ruggiero said. “So, when you work for someone that you have a great relationship with, you trust and is committed to excellence …”
Ruggiero pauses.
“You know, I’ve got a great job.”