Temple University Athletics
PAUL LOUNSBERRY NAMED TEMPLE OFFENSIVE LINE COACH
3.9.05 | Football
PHILADELPHIA - Paul Lounsberry has been named offensive line coach at Temple University, it was announced today by head football coach Bobby Wallace. Lounsberry arrives in Owl Country with 32 seasons of coaching experience, including 20 years at the Division I-A level.
"Paul brings a wealth of experience to the program," said Wallace. "He has a proven record of performance in motivating student-athletes to achieve their best. I am confident our offensive line will excel under his direction."
Lounsberry served as an assistant coach at South Carolina under head coach Lou Holtz for the past five seasons, directing the Gamecocks' tight ends and coordinating the special teams in 2004. During his tenure at the Southeastern Conference member school, he also instructed defensive tackles (2003) and the offensive line (2000-2002).
Several of Carolina's offensive linemen achieved considerable success under Lounsberry's direction. Offensive guards Cedric Williams and Shane Hall both were chosen to play in postseason all-star games following the 2002 season, with Hall inking a free agent contract with Seattle. Center Larrell Johnson was chosen a team captain in 2001, while Williams was a first-team All-SEC pick in 2000. Hall, who played both guard and tackle, was a second-team All-SEC pick in 2001.
Prior to his stay in Columbia, S.C., Lounsberry helped craft explosive and record-setting offenses during a 13-year tenure at the University of Central Florida. During his time with the Golden Knights, the team's offense emerged as one of the nation's most productive units. In 1998, UCF posted a 9-2 record and shattered numerous school records, ranking sixth nationally in passing offense (342.82) and seventh in total offense (487.73).
Lounsberry was responsible for recruiting All-America quarterback Daunte Culpepper to UCF. Culpepper, currently an All-Pro with the Minnesota Vikings, started all four years (1995-98) and set more than 30 school records, including 11,412 passing yards while being protected by Lounsberry's offensive line. In 1998, Culpepper set an NCAA record for completion percentage at .736 on the year. That same season, Culpepper ranked third in the nation in total offense (377.55) and third nationally in passing efficiency (170.24).
Lounsberry's development of solid offensive lines was instrumental in other record-setting performances at UCF, including Marquette Smith's 1,511 rushing yards in 1995 and Darin Hinshaw's 9,000 career passing yards from 1991-94. One of Lounsberry's prize pupils during that time was center Mike Gruttadauria, who played with the Super Bowl Champion St. Louis Rams in 2000 and later with the Arizona Cardinals.
Lounsberry, 53, was a graduate assistant for two years (1985-86) at Florida, assisting with the Gators' offensive line. Prior to entering the collegiate ranks, he spent six years as director of athletics and head coach at Westover High School in Albany, Ga. He twice was named Coach of the Year (1981-82) and was on the coaching staff for the Georgia All-Stars in 1984. He began his coaching career at Wolfson High School in Jacksonville, Fla. in 1973.
Lounsberry, a native of McCallsburg, Iowa, attended Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, where he lettered four times in football, twice in track and once in wrestling. He graduated cum laude in 1973, with degrees in Mathematics and Physical Education. He earned his Master's degree in Sport Administration from the University of Florida in 1987 and also has a Master's degree in Teaching Mathematics from Jacksonville University.
