Chuck Pagano

Chuck Pagano joined the Baltimore Ravens’ coaching staff as secondary coach on February 12, 2008. Pagano, who has 25 years of coaching experience in both the NCAA and NFL, will work closely with the team’s other secondary coach, Mark Carrier, to guide the Ravens’ defensive backfield.  Pagano’s tenure includes coaching at the University of Miami (1986; 1995-2000), where he recruited and coached Ravens Pro Bowl S Ed Reed.

Pagano returns to the NFL after a yearlong-stint as the University of North Carolina’s defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach in 2007. Prior to re-joining coaching colleague Butch Davis at UNC, Pagano spent 2 seasons as the Oakland Raiders’ defensive backs coach (2005-06). In 2006, the Raiders led the NFL in pass defense, allowing just 150.8 yards per game, and ranked 3rd in total defense, surrendering only 284.8 yards per contest. Oakland CB Nnamdi Asomugha was 3rd in the NFL with 8 INTs.

Prior to joining the Raiders’ staff, Pagano coached the Cleveland Browns’ secondary under then-head coach Davis (2001-04). He spent 4 years coaching on the same staff as current Ravens special teams coordinator Jerry Rosburg. In 2003, the Browns’ DBs helped Cleveland tie the franchise record for allowing the fewest passing TDs (13). With Pagano’s guidance, the Browns’ secondary accounted for 28 of the team’s NFL-leading and team-record 33 INTs in 2001. That same year, Browns rookie CB Anthony Henry led the league with 10 picks.

From 1995-2000, Pagano coached at Miami as the Hurricanes’ secondary coach and special teams coordinator. While there, Pagano recruited and coached 4 NFL 1st-round draft picks: Reed (Ravens, 24th in 2002), CB Phillip Buchanon (Raiders, 17th in 2002), CB Duane Starks (Ravens, 10th in 1998) and CB Mike Rumph (49ers, 27th in 2002). Pagano’s secondary contributed heavily to Miami’s success on defense over the years. Some notables include 1999 when the DBs did not allow a passing TD in the last 27 quarters, en route to a 9-4 season. As the Hurricanes’ special teams coordinator, Pagano-led units blocked 39 kicks in 59 games, including a single-season school record 12 blocks in 1996. Reed intercepted a Miami-career record 21 passes and blocked 4 punts in his 4-year career under Pagano.

Prior to his 6 years at Miami, Pagano spent 3 seasons as the secondary and outside linebackers coach at East Carolina (1992-94), his second stop at the school. In 1989, he coached the team’s secondary.

The Boulder, CO, native began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at USC in 1984. After 2 seasons, he left to become an assistant at Miami for a season (1986) and then became the outside linebackers coach at Boise State (1987-88). Pagano moved on to short stints at East Carolina (secondary coach in 1989) and UNLV (secondary in 1990 and defensive coordinator in 1991).

As an undergrad at Wyoming, Chuck was a 4-year letterman and 2-year starter as a strong safety, graduating with a degree in marketing in 1984. Born 10/2/60 in Boulder, CO, he attended Fairview (Boulder, CO) HS. He and his wife, Tina, have 3 children, Tara, Taylor and Tori.