Central Connecticut head football coach Jeff McInerney announced on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012, that Tommy Buzzo has been named the co-defensive coordinator for the Blue Devils.  Buzzo will join Jason Manson, who has been on staff with the Blue Devils for the last two seasons, in coordinating the defense for McInerney.

Former defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa recently assumed the same duties at Columbia University.

"Having Tommy join our staff is a home run," McInerney said on Tuesday.  "He has been a great friend to the Central Connecticut football family over the last few seasons, bringing his team up from Virginia for our summer camp.  He has a tremendous football mind and we are excited to bring his experience and work ethic to CCSU."

Buzzo most recently served as the head coach at Liberty High School in Virginia for 10 seasons.   He posted a record of 89-24, including a 10-3 mark in the fall of 2011.  They lost in the regional final.   His teams captured four AA district championships and one AAA regional title in his 10 seasons.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for me and I am excited to become a part of the Blue Devil family," Buzzo said.  "Coach McInerney and his staff have built a great tradition of winning football, and I look forward to building on that tradition.  We're already hard at work preparing for our spring season.  I am currently getting to know our personnel and can't wait to compete for another Northeast Conference title."

Buzzo is a two-time selection as the Northwestern Direct Coach of the Year award and a two-time winner of the Evergreen District Coach of the Year award.   He was the defensive coordinator of the East Team in the Virginia High School League Coaches Association All-Star Game this past fall.  He was the head coach of the West squad in the 2009.

Buzzo was an assistant for six seasons at Liberty before assuming the head coaching position in 2002.  In his 10 seasons as the head coach he sent 22 student-athletes on to play Division I football.