Vinny Giacalone - Football Coach - Bucknell University Athletics

Photo by: Jon Lambert

Vinny Giacalone

Title:
Assistant Head Coach (TEs)
Email:
vg011@bucknell.edu
Phone:
570-916-9555

MEET COACH GIACALONE
RECRUITING AREAS: Western Chicago, Central/Southern New Jersey

Vinny Giacalone arrived at Bucknell in 2019. In February 2023, he was elevated to assistant head coach and tight ends coach after previously coaching the offensive line. He has also served as the program's director of football operations, overseeing team logistics, including travel, recruiting and camps.

Before arriving at Bucknell, Giacalone spent the previous five seasons on Dave Cecchini's staff at Valparaiso as an offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator. His offensive line helped pave the way for Valparaiso's offensive resurgence, allowing the fewest sacks per game (0.42) in the nation in 2014 and the 10th fewest sacks per game (0.91) in 2017. During the 2017 campaign, Valparaiso's offense put up 330 points and 4,398 yards, both good for second in school history. The team ultimately finished above .500, at 6-5, for the first time since 2003.

Under Giacalone's watch, Stuart Barkley, Tom Schofield and Jack Jarnigan captured All-Pioneer Football League accolades. In addition, Eric Rentschler was twice recognized on the Academic All-PFL Team for his performance on the field and in the classroom. During his time at Valparaiso, Giacalone also oversaw the team's travel, student managers and social media accounts.

A 2010 Carnegie Mellon graduate, Giacalone served as an assistant coach and co-recruiting coordinator at his alma mater for two seasons before moving on to Lehigh in 2012. That campaign, Giacalone's offensive line ceded the fifth-fewest sacks per game in the nation despite featuring four first-time starters; his charges' efforts helped the Mountain Hawks lead the Patriot League in passing offense.