Indiana co-offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri has been hired as UCLA’s offensive coordinator replacing Eric Bieniemy
Reported by Zach Osterman of the IndyStar, Indiana co-offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Tino Sunseri has taken his talents to Westwood as he was named offensive coordinator for the UCLA Bruins.
“Indiana quarterbacks coach Tino Sunseri has emerged as the target to replace Bieniemy, Thamel wrote on Thursday. “Sunseri will remain with the Hoosiers through the College Football Playoff,” ESPN Pete Thamel said today
Sunseri came to Indiana from James Madison where he worked under Cignetti.
Under his direction, the 2023 season saw Jordan McCloud earn Sun Belt Player of the Year after ranking No. 5 in passing touchdowns (32), No. 6 in points responsible for (242), No. 9 in passing efficiency (167.3), and No. 10 in total offense per game (309.2) in the FBS.
In 2022, Todd Centeio was voted Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player and Newcomer of the Year after throwing for 2,697 yards and 25 touchdowns with just five interceptions.
In 2021, Cole Johnson set the JMU single-season records for passing yards (3,779), passing touchdowns (41), and completions (287) in 2021 to finish No. 4 in the voting for the FCS Walter Payton Award.
Tino was also a graduate assistant coach under Nick Saban in the 2019-2020 season and has strong family ties in the football world as his brother Vinnie is the safeties coach at Washington and father Sal is the defensive tackle coach at Colorado. Tino played quarterback at Pittsburgh from 2010-2013 and had a short stint in the CFL for the Saskatchewan Roughriders from 2013-2015.
Sunseri among many others on the roster and staff came to Indiana from James Madison where he worked under Curt Cignetti.
Under Cignetti, Sunseri’s offense had major success. In the 2023 season JMU quarterback Jordan McCloud won Sun Belt Player of the Year after ranking No. 5 in passing touchdowns (32), No. 9 in passing efficiency (167.3) and No. 10 in total offense per game (309.2) in the FBS.
The year before in 2022, Todd Centeio was voted Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player and Newcomer of the Year after throwing for 2,697 yards and 25 touchdowns and only five interceptions.
In 2021, Cole Johnson set the James Madison single-season records for passing yards (3,779), passing touchdowns (41), and completions (287) in 2021 to finish No. 4 in the voting for the FCS Walter Payton Award.
Senior quarterback Kurtis Rourke, who transferred in from Ohio, has completed 70% of his passes for 2,827 yards with 27 touchdowns and four interceptions this season, he also was named second team All-Big Ten in 2024 under Mike Shannahan and Tino Sunseri.
