Guidugli added to CMU staff as running backs coach

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - Gino Guidugli, a former offensive graduate assistant at Central Michigan, has returned to Mount Pleasant to coach the Chippewas' running backs, CMU head coach Dan Enos has announced.

"(Gino) has great character and is a tremendously hard worker," said Enos. "He is tough and smart. He was here for two years and did a great job as a graduate assistant coach. He has great respect here from all of the people who worked with him. I am glad to be able to bring him back. He is going to bring energy, professionalism, and he will do a tremendous job coaching our backs."

Guidugli assisted in coaching the receivers and the defensive scout team from 2009-2011 in his first stint at Central Michigan.

Most recently, Guidugli was the starting quarterback for the Arena Football League's Milwaukee Mustangs. In 2011, he passed for 1,313 yards with 23 touchdowns and four interceptions in five games and helped lead the Mustangs on a three game winning streak to finish the season.

Guidugli has also played professionally in the AFL for the New York Dragons (2008), for the CFL's British Columbia Lions (2007-08), and with the Green Bay Blizzard of the AFL2 (2007, 2009), earning Offensive Player of the Week honors three times during the regular season. He also spent training camp and the pre-season with the NFL's Tennessee Titans in 2005.

Guidugli played collegiately at the University of Cincinnati from 2001-04. He is the Bearcats' record holder for attempts (1,556), completions (880), passing yards (11,453), touchdown passes (78), and total offense (11,661).

Guidugli guided UC to a victory in the 2004 Fort Worth Bowl, when Enos was Guidugli's position coach, earning MVP honors. In 2001, he received freshman All-America recognition, leading Cincinnati to seven wins and a berth in the Motor City Bowl.

A four-year letter winner, Guidugli was named the Claude Rost Team MVP in 2001 and 2004. Also a standout in the classroom, he was a three-time Conference USA Scholar Athlete. In 2005, Guidugli was inducted into the University's Ring of Honor.

A native of Fort Thomas, Ky., Guidugli earned his bachelor's degree in business marketing from Cincinnati (2005) and master's degree in Sports Administration from Central Michigan (2012).

"I'm excited to be back in Mount Pleasant and part of the Chippewa football program," said Guidugli. "I am looking forward to the opportunity to work with a talented group of running backs and alongside an exceptional coaching staff in our quest for a Mid American Conference Championship."

For the 2013 season, CMU returns a gifted corps of running backs headlined by Second Team All-MAC performer Zurlon Tipton, who rushed for 1,492 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2012.

Stick to ChippewaCountry for the latest in CMU athletics and recruiting