The youngest member of George O'Leary's coaching staff, Brian Polian enters his first season as UCF's recruiting coordinator/running backs coach. Polian previously served the last three years at Buffalo as the running backs/special teams coach. In 2002, his work with tailback Aaron Leeper earned the New York native MAC Freshman of the Year honors, the first major award won by a Buffalo player since UB joined the MAC in 1999. In 2001, he saw placekicker Dallas Pelz set a school record by booting nine straight field goals while going 12-of-18 on the season. Polian returned to his Western New York roots for his second stint at UB after spending the previous two seasons at Baylor University, where he earned his master's of science in education. Polian's duties at Baylor included coaching the strongside linebackers and co-coordinating special teams. Polian, who was twice an All-Western New York player at St. Francis High School, had previously coached at Buffalo during the 1998 season when he served as tight ends and assistant offensive line coach. Prior to joining UB, Polian served as the offensive graduate assistant at Michigan State as the Spartans finished 24th in the nation and played in the Aloha Bowl. A graduate of John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio, Polian earned a bachelor's degree in history in 1997. Polian lettered three years at linebacker at John Carroll and was named to the All-Ohio Athletic Conference team in 1996. While at John Carroll, Polian helped lead the 1994 and '96 teams to top 10 finishes in the Division III rankings. Polian and his wife, the former Laura Maggiotto, reside in Orlando.
The Brian Polian File |
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