Eastern Michigan Athletics
Photo by: Syracuse University Athletics
Chuck Bullough Named EMU Football Assistant Coach
3/2/2016 2:00:00 PM | Football
Former Michigan State letterwinner will be the defensive line coach
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Chuck Bullough (pronounced BULL-ah), the defensive coordinator coach for the Syracuse University football team the past three seasons, has been named an assistant football coach at Eastern Michigan University, Head Coach Chris Creighton announced today, March 2. A veteran coach of the NFL and college football, Bullough has coached every position on the defensive side of the ball and the offensive line. At EMU, he will coach the defensive line.
"Coach Bullough brings tremendous experience and pass for the game of football to our staff and program," remarked Creighton. "He is going to make our defensive line better. He is very excited about being back in the great state of Michigan and will do an awesome job recruiting. Chuck is a great fit for who we are and what we are all about."
During Bullough's 20-year career, he has mentored seven NFL Pro Bowl players and three alternates, five collegiate All-Americans, and numerous collegiate players who played in the NFL. An accomplished football player and coach, he has been a part of very successful football teams and programs, having coached in nine bowl games and six NFL playoff games.
Most recently, Bullough spent three years working as the defensive coordinator at Syracuse from 2013-15. Last year, his Orange defense finished eighth in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and led the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) with four defensive touchdowns. The team was also 11th nationally and second in the conference with 12 fumble recoveries. In the season finale, Syracuse held Boston College to nine yards passing, the 10th-fewest passing yards in team single-game history and the lowest total for an SU opponent since 1989.
The 2014 Orange defense held nine of its 12 opponents to less than its season average for total offense and was one of four FBS teams to surrender fewer than 10 rushing touchdowns (9). Alabama (5), TCU (9) and Ole Miss (9) were the others. Overall, the SU defense was responsible for four touchdowns (two interception returns, two fumble returns), including two in the team's win at Wake Forest. Overall, the Orange ranked 14th nationally in defensive touchdowns, 26th in total defense (349.2 ypg) 29th in redzone defense (77.5), 30th in first downs allowed (240) and 31st in rushing defense (139 ypg).
In 2013, the Syracuse defense finished ranked nationally in multiple categories, including third-down defense (15th), rush defense (24th), sacks (18th), and tackles for loss (18th). Furthermore, SU was the only FBS team in the nation not to allow a 100-yard rusher in 2013. The Orange recorded 37 sacks, the third most in school history and the highest total for the Orange since 2001. The team finished with three All-ACC defensive selections, with all three players going on to careers in the NFL. That season, Syracuse shutout two opponents for the first time since the 1997 season.
Bullough joined SU after holding the role of defensive assistant with the Cleveland Browns for two seasons. Prior to returning to the NFL, Bullough spent five years at UCLA, as the linebackers coach (2006-08) and defensive coordinator (2009-10).
At UCLA, Bullough mentored three 2009 All-Americans in defensive tackle Brian Price, who was also the Pac-10 Conference Defensive Player of the Year, safety Rahim Moore, who led the nation in interceptions, and cornerback Alterraun Verner. In 2009, UCLA was ranked 32nd in total defense, fifth in tackles for a loss, 18th in third down defense, tied for 26th in turnovers forced, 27th in scoring defense, and 28th in pass defense. The Bruins led the Pac-10 in each of those statistical categories, in addition to red-zone points allowed. The 2007 Bruin defense ranked 14th nationally in rushing defense (109.2 yards per game) and 29th in total defense (343.23 yds/g), following up on the 2006 campaign in which the Bruins defense was tied for ninth nationally and led the Pac-10 in total defense.
Bullough has familiarity with the Mid-American Conference having spent the 2005 campaign at Western Michigan University, where he coached linebackers. Bronco linebacker Ameer Ismail ranked 34th nationally with 8.0 sacks and tied for sixth in the nation with 20.0 tackles for loss.
In 2004, Bullough was linebackers coach and special team's coordinator at Lake Forest College.
A four-year letterwinner (1988-91) and 1992 graduate of Michigan State, Bullough began his coaching career at his alma mater in 1997. He was an assistant defensive backs coach for the Spartans in 1997 and 1998. He moved to the National Football League, where he worked on the Chicago Bears staff for five seasons, including assistant linebackers and special teams coach (1999-2001), assistant defensive line coach (2002), and assistant secondary coach (2003). During his time in Chicago he worked with Pro Bowl selections Jerry Azumah, Glyn Milburn, Larry Whigham, and Brian Urlacher, who was the 2000 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
At Michigan State, the second-team All-American set an MSU single-season record with 175 tackles. He was a member of three bowl championship teams, including the 1987 Rose Bowl squad, and MSU won two Big Ten Conference titles during his career. The Philadelphia Eagles eighth round selection in the 1992 draft, Bullough spent three seasons with the Miami Dolphins (1993-95).
A 1986 graduate of Orchard Park (N.Y.) High School, Bullough is a second generation NFL player and coach. His father, Hank, also played football for the Spartans (1952-54). A fifth round-draft choice of the Green Bay Packers, Hank enjoyed a 33-year coaching career, including 21 seasons in the NFL and 12 years in the collegiate ranks as an assistant coach at his alma mater.
Bullough and his wife, Nicole, have two daughters, Chloe and Annika.
"Coach Bullough brings tremendous experience and pass for the game of football to our staff and program," remarked Creighton. "He is going to make our defensive line better. He is very excited about being back in the great state of Michigan and will do an awesome job recruiting. Chuck is a great fit for who we are and what we are all about."
During Bullough's 20-year career, he has mentored seven NFL Pro Bowl players and three alternates, five collegiate All-Americans, and numerous collegiate players who played in the NFL. An accomplished football player and coach, he has been a part of very successful football teams and programs, having coached in nine bowl games and six NFL playoff games.
Most recently, Bullough spent three years working as the defensive coordinator at Syracuse from 2013-15. Last year, his Orange defense finished eighth in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and led the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) with four defensive touchdowns. The team was also 11th nationally and second in the conference with 12 fumble recoveries. In the season finale, Syracuse held Boston College to nine yards passing, the 10th-fewest passing yards in team single-game history and the lowest total for an SU opponent since 1989.
The 2014 Orange defense held nine of its 12 opponents to less than its season average for total offense and was one of four FBS teams to surrender fewer than 10 rushing touchdowns (9). Alabama (5), TCU (9) and Ole Miss (9) were the others. Overall, the SU defense was responsible for four touchdowns (two interception returns, two fumble returns), including two in the team's win at Wake Forest. Overall, the Orange ranked 14th nationally in defensive touchdowns, 26th in total defense (349.2 ypg) 29th in redzone defense (77.5), 30th in first downs allowed (240) and 31st in rushing defense (139 ypg).
In 2013, the Syracuse defense finished ranked nationally in multiple categories, including third-down defense (15th), rush defense (24th), sacks (18th), and tackles for loss (18th). Furthermore, SU was the only FBS team in the nation not to allow a 100-yard rusher in 2013. The Orange recorded 37 sacks, the third most in school history and the highest total for the Orange since 2001. The team finished with three All-ACC defensive selections, with all three players going on to careers in the NFL. That season, Syracuse shutout two opponents for the first time since the 1997 season.
Bullough joined SU after holding the role of defensive assistant with the Cleveland Browns for two seasons. Prior to returning to the NFL, Bullough spent five years at UCLA, as the linebackers coach (2006-08) and defensive coordinator (2009-10).
At UCLA, Bullough mentored three 2009 All-Americans in defensive tackle Brian Price, who was also the Pac-10 Conference Defensive Player of the Year, safety Rahim Moore, who led the nation in interceptions, and cornerback Alterraun Verner. In 2009, UCLA was ranked 32nd in total defense, fifth in tackles for a loss, 18th in third down defense, tied for 26th in turnovers forced, 27th in scoring defense, and 28th in pass defense. The Bruins led the Pac-10 in each of those statistical categories, in addition to red-zone points allowed. The 2007 Bruin defense ranked 14th nationally in rushing defense (109.2 yards per game) and 29th in total defense (343.23 yds/g), following up on the 2006 campaign in which the Bruins defense was tied for ninth nationally and led the Pac-10 in total defense.
Bullough has familiarity with the Mid-American Conference having spent the 2005 campaign at Western Michigan University, where he coached linebackers. Bronco linebacker Ameer Ismail ranked 34th nationally with 8.0 sacks and tied for sixth in the nation with 20.0 tackles for loss.
In 2004, Bullough was linebackers coach and special team's coordinator at Lake Forest College.
A four-year letterwinner (1988-91) and 1992 graduate of Michigan State, Bullough began his coaching career at his alma mater in 1997. He was an assistant defensive backs coach for the Spartans in 1997 and 1998. He moved to the National Football League, where he worked on the Chicago Bears staff for five seasons, including assistant linebackers and special teams coach (1999-2001), assistant defensive line coach (2002), and assistant secondary coach (2003). During his time in Chicago he worked with Pro Bowl selections Jerry Azumah, Glyn Milburn, Larry Whigham, and Brian Urlacher, who was the 2000 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
At Michigan State, the second-team All-American set an MSU single-season record with 175 tackles. He was a member of three bowl championship teams, including the 1987 Rose Bowl squad, and MSU won two Big Ten Conference titles during his career. The Philadelphia Eagles eighth round selection in the 1992 draft, Bullough spent three seasons with the Miami Dolphins (1993-95).
A 1986 graduate of Orchard Park (N.Y.) High School, Bullough is a second generation NFL player and coach. His father, Hank, also played football for the Spartans (1952-54). A fifth round-draft choice of the Green Bay Packers, Hank enjoyed a 33-year coaching career, including 21 seasons in the NFL and 12 years in the collegiate ranks as an assistant coach at his alma mater.
Bullough and his wife, Nicole, have two daughters, Chloe and Annika.
| The Chuck Bullough File | ||
| Name: | Chuck Bullough | |
| High School: | Orchard Park H.S. - Orchard Park, N.Y. | |
| College: | Michigan State University - Bachelor's degree in physical education and exercise science - 1992 | |
| Family: | Wife - Nicole; Children - Chloe and Annika | |
| Coaching Experience | ||
| Year | School/Company | Position |
| 2013-15 | Syracuse University | Assistant Coach/Defensive Coordinator |
| 2011-12 | Cleveland Browns | Defensive Assistant/Linebackers |
| 2009-10 | UCLA | Assistant Coach/Defensive Coordinator |
| 2006-08 | UCLA | Assistant Coach/Linebackers |
| 2005 | Western Michigan University | Assistant Coach/Linebackers |
| 2004 | Lake Forest College | Assistant Coach/LBs/Special Teams Coordinator |
| 2003 | Chicago Bears | Defensive Assistant/Defensive Backs |
| 2002 | Chicago Bears | Defensive Assistant/Defensive Line |
| 1996-2001 | Chicago Bears | Defensive Assistant/Linebackers |
| 1998 | Michigan State University | Graduate Assistant/Offensive Line |
| 1997 | Michigan State University | Graduate Assistant/Defensive Backs |
| 1996 | Indianapolis Colts | Player |
| 1993-95 | Miami Dolphins | Player |
| 1992 | Philadelphia Eagles | Player |
| 1987-91 | Michigan State University | Student-athlete |
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