Princeton University Athletics
Sprint Football
September 01, 2006 | Sprint Football
When sprint football practices begin next Tuesday, the team will have a new look as first-year head coach Tom Cocuzza takes over the reins of the Princeton program. Cocuzza has an extensive football background and will bring a renewed enthusiasm to the Princeton program.
Cocuzza comes to Princeton from Kean University, where he served as offensive coordinator under his father, Charles, while finishing his degree in computer science. He has also coached with the Atlantic City Cardsharks of the National Indoor Football League and the New Jersey Red Dogs of the Arena Football League, where the roster included NFL quarterback Tommy Maddox and another current NFL player, New Orleans returnman Michael Lewis. He has also been the head coach at Essex Catholic High School.
Cocuzza inherits a team that snapped a long losing streak with a win over Virginia Military Institute last season. The Tigers compete along with Penn, Cornell, Army and Navy in the Collegiate Sprint Football League.
Princeton returns 32 players from its 2005 roster. The team had a spirited spring practice season as Cocuzza began his tenure with the team and got to know the players that make up the team's roster.
As part of the spring practice process, Cocuzza and his staff began running through the team's new play book, installing an offensive scheme, based on that of Texas Tech, with four and five receiver sets. The Tigers will also be aggressive on the defensive end, blitzing in all situations.
Princeton gets its first competitive test when it meets its alumni in an exhibition game 12 days after practices begin. The Tigers then have an additional week of practice before opening the season on Friday, Sept. 22 at 7 p.m., against Cornell. The game will be the first of three home games for Princeton, and its first played under the lights on the fieldturf of Princeton Stadium. Princeton hosts Penn the following weekend before games at Army and Cornell. Princeton's final home game comes against Navy on Oct. 20.
Cocuzza comes to Princeton from Kean University, where he served as offensive coordinator under his father, Charles, while finishing his degree in computer science. He has also coached with the Atlantic City Cardsharks of the National Indoor Football League and the New Jersey Red Dogs of the Arena Football League, where the roster included NFL quarterback Tommy Maddox and another current NFL player, New Orleans returnman Michael Lewis. He has also been the head coach at Essex Catholic High School.
Cocuzza inherits a team that snapped a long losing streak with a win over Virginia Military Institute last season. The Tigers compete along with Penn, Cornell, Army and Navy in the Collegiate Sprint Football League.
Princeton returns 32 players from its 2005 roster. The team had a spirited spring practice season as Cocuzza began his tenure with the team and got to know the players that make up the team's roster.
As part of the spring practice process, Cocuzza and his staff began running through the team's new play book, installing an offensive scheme, based on that of Texas Tech, with four and five receiver sets. The Tigers will also be aggressive on the defensive end, blitzing in all situations.
Princeton gets its first competitive test when it meets its alumni in an exhibition game 12 days after practices begin. The Tigers then have an additional week of practice before opening the season on Friday, Sept. 22 at 7 p.m., against Cornell. The game will be the first of three home games for Princeton, and its first played under the lights on the fieldturf of Princeton Stadium. Princeton hosts Penn the following weekend before games at Army and Cornell. Princeton's final home game comes against Navy on Oct. 20.
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