Bill D'Ottavio Named to Tulane Football Staff

Bill D'Ottavio, the defensive coordinator for the UCF Golden Knights for the past two seasons, has joined the Tulane Football staff as an assistant coach, Head Coach Chris Scelfo announced Thursday.

"Bill is an excellent addition to our coaching staff," Scelfo said. "He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience on the defensive side of the ball which will benefit our players."

D'Ottavio, a native of Roxbury, N.J., will work with the Green Wave cornerbacks while defensive coordinator Eric Schumann will coach the Tulane safeties in 2004. Garret Chachere assumes responsibilities for all of the linebackers.

"This is a great opportunity and I'm excited to join an outstanding group of coaches at Tulane," D'Ottavio said. "I'm looking forward to getting to know the players and to helping this program in any way I can."

D'Ottavio spent five seasons on the UCF coaching staff, serving as linebackers' coach for the first three seasons in Orlando before adding coordinator duties in 2002. In his two seasons as coordinator, four players earned first team All Mid-American Conference recognition while in 2001, UCF linebacker Tito Rodriguez ranked second in the nation in tackles per game and earned honorable mention All-America recognition.

Prior to his time at UCF, D'Ottavio was defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at his alma mater, Millersville University, for two years; he spent the 1995-96 seasons at Middle Tennessee State where he coached defensive backs. At Indiana University of Pennsylvania from 1989-94, he helped develop one of the best defensive units in Division II football as the Indians twice advanced to the national championship game and won five consecutive conference championships while posting a 65-11-1 record.

A 1986 graduate of Millersville, he began his career as a graduate assistant coach at his alma mater and then at the University of Pittsburgh. He began his duties at Tulane July 6.

Tulane kicks off its 2004 football season September 4 at Mississippi State in a nationally-televised game. Season tickets for the 2004 schedule, which includes six home games, are on sale now through the Tulane Athletics Ticket Office in the James Wilson Center or by calling 504-861-WAVE.