27th Year in NFL/6th with the Bills
Catavolos enters his sixth season with the Bills in 2011. He was retained by head coach Chan Gailey in 2010. He joined the franchise as a defensive backs coach in 2006.
27th Year in NFL/6th with the Bills
COACHING EXPERIENCE
Catavolos enters his sixth season with the Bills in 2011. He was retained by head coach Chan Gailey in 2010. He joined the franchise as a defensive backs coach in 2006.
Prior to coming to Buffalo in 2006, Catavolos held the same position with four other NFL clubs: Detroit (2004-05), Washington (2002-03), Indianapolis (1984- 93; 1998-2001) and Carolina (1995-97).
Buffalo’s secondary continues to produce productive seasons under Catavolos’ leadership. In 2009, rookie FS Jairus Byrd recorded a club rookie record nine interceptions and earned a Pro Bowl berth. The Bills ranked first in the AFC last year with 28 interceptions, including 22 from the defensive backs.
Below are statistical feats accomplished by the Bills under Catavolos:
In 2010, Buffalo’s pass defense ranked third in the NFL allowing 192.0 passing yards per game. … under Catavolos’s guidance, Buffalo’s pass defense allowed just 38 20-plus yard passes which rated as tied for fourth in the NFL. … Buffalo’s defense accounted for 10 interceptions in weeks nine-16. The 10 interception total ranked tied for the fifth best in the second half of 2010.
Buffalo’s pass defense ranked second in the NFL in passing yards per play (5.68), passing yards per game (184.3) and opponent passer rating (61.1) in 2009.
In 2008, the secondary unit allowed the fourth-fewest touchdown passes in the NFL (14). Buffalo’s pass defense (204.4) improved to 13th in 2008 compared to 29th in 2007. CB Jabari Greer, CB Terrence McGee, S Donte Whitner and rookie CB Leodis McKelvin made numerous game-changing plays for the Buffalo. Greer posted two interception-touchdowns on the season to tie for the second-most in the NFL. McGee led the team in passes defensed (21) and interceptions (3). Whitner posted a team-high three forced fumbles and added 63 tackles. McKelvin added two interceptions – including one returned for a touchdown as a rookie.
In 2007, Catavolos led the secondary to a solid season as a number of players gained on-the-job experience while the team overcame numerous injuries (four defensive backs were placed on injured reserve). CB Terrence McGee led the team with four interceptions and ranked third in the NFL with 25 passes defensed. Catavolos led the transition of former WR George Wilson to free safety and Wilson started nine games at the position. CB Jabari Greer started a career-high 13 games. Second-year strong safety Donte Whitner ranked third on the team in tackles with 102.
In 2006, the Bills defensive backs enjoyed a standout season in their first season working with the long-time coaching veteran. The Bills ranked 1st in the NFL yielding just 10.14 yards per completion and ranked No. 3 allowing 6.40 yards per pass attempt. Buffalo ranked 6th in the NFL in passing net yards per play and 7th in passing net yards per game. Catavolos was influential in the development of the NFL’s only starting rookie safety tandem in 2006 – Donte Whitner and Ko Simpson. Whitner was awarded the NFL’s defensive rookie of the month award in September and selected to the NFL All-Rookie team. Whitner made 14 starts and Simpson posted 15.
Other career highlights for Catavolos include having a defensive back participate in three consecutive Pro Bowls from 2003-05 (Dré Bly 2005, Champ Bailey 2004, 2003)…
From 1995-97, Catavolos served as the Carolina Panthers defensive backs coach and helped CB Eric Davis reach the Pro Bowl in 1996. In the same season, the Panthers advanced to the NFC Championship game in only their second year in the NFL.
Catavolos’ NFL coaching career started in 1984 when he was hired as the defensive backs coach of the Indianapolis Colts, a position he held through the 1993 season.
PERSONAL
A three-year letter winner at Purdue as a defensive back, Catavolos was the Boilermakers’ co-captain during the team’s 1967 Rose Bowl Championship season…received a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Purdue in 1967, and was the recipient of the Nobel E. Kizer award for excellence in academics during his senior year. He went on to earn his master’s degree in education and administration in 1969… Catavolos and his wife, Tona, have two daughters, Lindsay and Stephanie.
