Former BC Lions head coach Steve Buratto joins UBC Thunderbirds staff

Vancouver, BC - Former BC Lions head coach andGrey Cup Champion, Steve Buratto, will join the UBC Thunderbirdsfootball team as the program's offensive coordinator and associatehead coach.

With over 40 years of coaching experience,Buratto will be rejoined with UBC head coach BlakeNill, who he worked with for the past two seasonsas offensive line coach at the University of Calgary.

"In terms of understanding the game there is noone that is able to adapt and teach quite like Steve," said Nill."He is an outstanding communicator, who's biggest strength is theability to teach athletes at this stage of theircareer."

No stranger to football in British Columbia,Buratto has had multiple stints working with the BC Lions, mostnotably leading the Lions to a Grey Championship in 2000. Hepreviously was head coach of the Calgary Stampeders in the mid-80'sand also worked for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, BaltimoreStallions, Toronto Argonauts, and Hamilton Tiger-Cats. During hiscoaching career, which began in the late 1960's, Buratto hascoached high school, US college, Canadian college, and in theCFL.

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

He earned a try out with the Green Bay Packersin 1966 and 1967, but was unsuccessful. Those years the Packerswere coached by the legendary Vince Lombardi and Green Bay wonSuper Bowl I and II.

"Steve's approach with university athletes isvery efficient, they just gravitate to him and he will make abig difference in changing the culture here at UBC," saidNill.