February 4, 2011

Buratto to lead Rider O-line in 2011

Riderville.com Staff

REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced today that Steve Buratto will join the Green and White coaching staff and take over as Offensive Line Coach for 2011 CFL season.

Buratto has three decades of CFL coaching experience to his credit in a career which began with the Riders in 1980 when he was named Offensive Line Coach for two seasons. Since then the University of Idaho product has spent time in a variety of coaching roles across the league.

Most recently Buratto served as the Offensive Line Coach with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for one season. Before joining the Ti-Cats Buratto worked as Offensive Coordinator, and then Special Teams Coordinator and Running Backs Coach over a period of three seasons with the Toronto Argonauts. He also served as an Offensive Coordinator with the Calgary Stampeders in 2005-06 and with the B.C. Lions in 2003-04.

Buratto has been named a head coach twice over the course of his career. First with the Stampeders in 1984 and then he helped lead the Lions to a Grey Cup title in 2000 after taking over the reins mid-season.

In addition, Buratto helped the Baltimore Stallions reach back-to-back Grey Cup appearances in 1994 and 1995 as their offensive coordinator. In 1995, the Stallions successfully claimed the championship title. Prior to joining the expansion squad, Buratto made his second stop in Saskatchewan in 1993 where he once again served as Offensive Line Coach for the Green and White.

His first taste of CFL coaching came in 1977 and 1978 when he served as a guest coach with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Roughriders, respectively.

Buratto was the starting centre for Idaho and was teammates with CFL legends Jerry “Soupy” Campbell and Don Matthews.

The Riders also announced today that Mike Scheper will not be returning to the team’s coaching staff for the 2011 season.