Glenn Caruso

Head Coach

Glenn Caruso was named the 29th head coach in the 104-year history of University of St. Thomas football on Jan. 24, 2008. In his first season as head coach, Coach Caruso led UST to the third-biggest turnaround in NCAA Division III football. He followed that up with an 11-2 record in 2009, including a 2-1 playoff record and a berth in the NCAA quarterfinals. The two-year turnaround completed the biggest turnaround in Division III football.

After the program finished the previous season 2-8, Coach Caruso led the 2008 Tommies to a 7-3 record and a second-place MIAC finish, including a win on a touchdown pass in the game's final play vs. Carletoon. The three losses included a six-overtime loss and two defeats on plays in the last 45 seconds of games.

The 2008 Tommies averaged 21 points in regulation in their first six games and 32.5 points over their final four games. Coach Caruso's offensive unit had impressive balance as it averaged 200 rushing yards and 175 passing yards plus-20 first downs a game. The Toms allowed a modest 21 touchdowns in regulation after giving up 44 in 2007. UST finished with a plus-six in turnover ratio on the season after posting a minus-13 total in 2007. Over the last four games, UST allowed just 176 net rushing yards on 101 carries.

The 2009 Tommies averaged 39 points per game and 427 yards per game.  Coach Caruso's defense finished near the top of the conference while only yielding 15.6 ppg and 283 ypg. UST scored a Division III best nine touchdowns off returns (punts, kickoffs, interceptions and blocked punts), including an NCAA all-division best six kickoff/punt returns. The Tommies broke school season records for rushing yards (3,238), totall offense (5,556), points (506) and touchdowns (70). UST's three sacks allowed were the second-fewest among NCAA teams at all levels. 

St. Thomas isn't Coach Caruso's first turnaround. In his 13-year coaching career he has helped resurrect three other football programs. He also has developed a national reputation for installing dynamic, high-scoring attacks on offense.

Program Turner

In 2006 Coach Caruso inherited just 24 players as head coach of a Macalester program that was coming off a 2-25 stretch from 2003-2005. He subsequently doubled the roster size and took the Scots to a 2-7 record in 2006 and a 4-5 mark in 2007. In his first season at Macalester, the Scots produced their two highest single-game total yardage outputs in their program's 119-year history.

Coach Caruso previously was the offensive coordinator at Division II South Dakota in his two seasons and was also offensive coordinator at Division II North Dakota State during a six-year stay as the Bison transitioned to Division IAA. At South Dakota, he came into a program that had won 10 games combined the previous three years and helped the Coyotes post back-to-back 9-2 records and win the North Central Conference championship.

At North Dakota State he helped a Bison team that went 6-4 the previous year make two NCAA playoff trips and reach the national semifinals in a four-year span. At those stops he coached four finalists for the Harlon Hill Trophy (Division II Player of the Year).

Coach Caruso has recruited the Twin Cities and parts of Minnesota extensively over the last 11 years. He's also recruited high schools in Wisconsin and the Chicago area. He was recently selected as the first coach to represent the college arm of the Minnesota High School Football Coaches Association.

Strong Pool

St. Thomas athletic director Steve Fritz said Coach Caruso rose to the top in a thorough, 11-week search that yielded many impressive candidates. Other finalists included an NAIA National Coach of the Year; the offensive coordinator from a Division III national championship team who previously had a successful head coaching tenure; and a 30-year Division I and II assistant coach.

"We found a gem in our own backyard," Fritz said. "Glenn has an excellent personality and a stellar resume. He comes highly recommended, and you feel his passion for Division III football and teaching young men. We look forward to many years of success under his leadership."

"I'm very excited for this opportunity," Coach Caruso said. "My wife Rachael and I are thrilled. I believe as head football coach at the University of St. Thomas I will be able to fulfill many of my goals and dreams, both personally and professionally, at an institution with a vision and mission that are parallel with that of my family's.

"Although Rachael and I see this as a wonderful day for our family, it's with a very heavy heart that I leave Macalester. I have pure respect and admiration for my players, and am grateful to athletic director Travis Feezell and President Brian Rosenberg. I firmly believe we're leaving Macalester football in better shape that when we came in, and I look forward to seeing the continued growth of the Scots' program.

"What was most important about this opportunity at St. Thomas was the university's clear vision and ever-present focus on substantial and sustained success, both on and off the field, as stressed by athletic director Steve Fritz and vice presidents Mark Dienhart and Jane Canney. I look forward to the relationships we will build in the program -- on the field, throughout campus, in the community, and with St. Thomas' loyal and proud alumni."

Offensive Roots

The Greenwich, Ct., native was a starter on the offensive line (center) at Ithaca (N.Y.), and helped the Bombers make two NCAA Division III playoff trips and post a 30-13 record in his four-year era. He spent one season as a graduate assistant coach at Ithaca, where he coached the offensive line.

After leaving Ithaca in 1997, he worked six years as an offensive assistant at North Dakota State and was the offensive coordinator in 2002-03. Coach Caruso then served as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach for the 2003 season at Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He directed an offense that averaged 33 points and 417 yards a game (287 passing ypg). Eau-Claire scored at least 36 points in six of its 10 games.

Coach Caruso moved on to South Dakota in 2004 and guided an offense that set 117 school records, including points scored and total yardage. In 2005, the Coyotes went 9-2 while averaging 49.7 points and 583 yards a game. The Coyotes ranked first nationally in Division II total offense, scoring, and red-zone efficiency; second in passing efficiency; and ninth in passing offense. His quarterback at USD, Wes Beschorner, finished second in the Harlon Hill voting as a senior after throwing 47 touchdown passes with just four interceptions for a QB efficiency rating of 215.0 -- second best in NCAA history.

Coach Caruso has mentored 15 offensive players who signed pro contracts, including Jake Morris (Detroit Lions), Lamar Gordon (St. Louis Rams), Steffan Logan (Miami Dolphins), Nick Haggeman (Pittsburgh Steelers), Chuck Klabo (Cleveland Browns), Rob Hunt (Indianapolis Colts) and Beschorner (Everett Hawks).

Coach Caruso earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1996 from Ithaca, where he majored in sport studies. He earned his master's degree in education from North Dakota State University in 2004, and is currently working on his Ph D. in psychology.

Coach Caruso and wife Rachael reside in St. Paul with daughter Anna (4) and sons Cade (3) and True (1 1-2).

Strong Tradition

St. Thomas has a rich tradition since its first varsity games in 1903. The Tommies' are ranked in the top 25 in Division III all-time winning percentage. Ten Tommies have gone on to play in the National Football League, including three in the last 20 years, and 2008 marked the 60th anniversary of the famed 1948 Cigar Bowl team which played a New Year's Day bowl game in Tampa, Fla.

Off the field, Tommie football has received CoSIDA Academic All-America honors 15 times in the last 15 seasons and has had a player named to the AFCA Good Works Team (campus/community service) a Division III-record 11 consecutive seasons.

Click here to see the KARE 11 TV story and link to the Jan. 24, 2008 press conference video announcing Coach Caruso's hiring:  http://www.kare11.com/sports/sports_article.aspx?storyid=494332