| No. 55, 56 | |||||||||
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| Position | Linebacker | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born | (1952-09-08)September 8, 1952 (age 73) Warren, Pennsylvania, U.S. | ||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||||
| Weight | 236 lb (107 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school | Warren, PA | ||||||||
| College | Penn State | ||||||||
| NFL draft | 1974: 1st round, 8th overall pick | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
Playing | |||||||||
Coaching | |||||||||
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| Awards and highlights | |||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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Edward William O'Neil (born September 8, 1952) is an Americanfootballcoach and former professionallinebacker, who played seven seasons in theNational Football League (NFL).
O'Neil was named a high schoolAll-American while attendingWarren Area High School inWarren, Pennsylvania. From 1970 to 1973, he played linebacker for coaching legendJoe Paterno atPenn State. A three-yearletterman, he wasteam captain of theNittany Lions' undefeated 1973 team and was named an All-American that same season.
O'Neil earned aBachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education from Penn State University in 1974. He was a member ofPhi Gamma Delta.
O'Neil was a first round draft pick, 8th overall, by theDetroit Lions in the1974 NFL draft. He playedlinebacker for the Lions from 1974 to 1979 and theGreen Bay Packers in 1980.[1]
He was thedefensive coordinator forHamilton Tiger-Cats of theCanadian Football League. He was hired March 2, 2007 to replace former coordinatorRod Rust, who now serves as a defensive consultant. Prior to coaching in the CFL, O'Neil spent three seasons as defensive coordinator forNFL Europe'sFrankfurt Galaxy (2004–2006). He also coached for theRhein Fire in 2002 and 2003.
It was as linebackers andspecial teams coach atRutgers (1984–1994) that O'Neil first worked for futureFrankfurthead coachDick Curl. From 1996 to 1998, O'Neil was defensive coordinator for theUniversity at Buffalo. He was also on the staff ofEastern Michigan University, followed by a year inIndiana University during 1983 under head coachSam Wyche.
In 2010, O'Neil became an assistant coach for theNiagara-Wheatfield High School Falconsfootball team inNiagara County, New York.
In 2012, O'Neil was the head coach of North Tonawanda High School's Junior Varsity team.
In 2013 was the assistant defensive coordinator of the North Tonawanda High School's Varsity Team. In 2014 he retired from coaching.
O'Neil lives inPendleton, New York with his wife, Nancy. His eldest son, Kevin O'Neil, played linebacker atSyracuse University. SonKeith O'Neil played in the NFL for theDallas Cowboys and the 2007 Super Bowl ChampionIndianapolis Colts. His son-in law,Drew Haddad, was drafted by theBuffalo Bills in the seventh round of the2000 NFL draft. He played for theIndianapolis Colts andSan Diego Chargers after setting several records for receiving at theUniversity at Buffalo.