John McNulty 2021-22 Football Staff

THE McNULTY FILE

PLAYING EXPERIENCE

BOWLS PLAYED

COACHING CAREER

BOWLS COACHED IN

NFL POSTSEASON BERTHS

PERSONAL INFORMATION

• Walk-on safety at Penn State; was a part of two bowl teams for the Nittany Lions.
• Began coaching career as a graduate assistant at Michigan.
• Spent 15 seasons in the NFL as an assistant, including stints working for Bill Parcells and Tom Coughlin.

COACHING ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Enters 17th collegiate coaching season in 2022, has mentored seven All-Americans or freshman All-Americans to date; has also coached in the NFL for 15 seasons.
• Mentored Michael Mayer to his record-breaking season in 2021.
• He set the Notre Dame single season record for receptions by a tight end with 71. He surpassed Tyler Eifert’s record of 63 that was set back in 2011.
• Mayer also set single season records in receiving touchdowns by a tight end (7) and receiving yards by a tight end in a single season (840).
• Mayer tied the Notre Dame record for most receptions by a tight end in a single game (9). He achieved that feat twice in 2021 against Florida State and Stanford.
• Mayer ranks third in program history for most career receiving yards by a tight end (1,290).
• Started at Notre Dame in 2020, coaching the Irish tight ends.
• In 2020, en route to a berth in the College Football Playoff, Irish tight ends made noise in both the pass and run game, led by eventual NFL draftee Tommy Tremble and true freshman phenom Michael Mayer.
• Mayer’s 42 receptions in 2020 (tied for the overall team lead) were the most in a single season by a Notre Dame true freshman tight end in Irish history, and rank seventh all-time among single season totals by Notre Dame tight ends.
• In addition to the threat in the air, the Notre Dame tight end unit was a force in run-blocking roles, helping Notre Dame RB Kyren Williams earn a 1,000-yard rushing season (1,125 total).
• Tremble, who often served as lead blocker for Williams, was drafted in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers. With Tremble’s selection, every Notre Dame week one starting tight end since 2003 has been drafted, beginning with Anthony Fasano.
• Spent the 2019 season as an analyst at his alma mater, helping Penn State to a Cotton Bowl victory over Memphis.
• Served two stints at Rutgers (2004-08, 2018), including three seasons as offensive coordinator.
• Led one of the most prolific offenses in Rutgers history in 2007, as the Scarlet Knights became the first team in FBS history with a 3,000-yard passer (Mike Teal), 2,000-yard rusher (Ray Rice) and a pair of 1,000-yard receivers (Kenny Britt and Tiquan Underwood). That season, the Scarlet Knights set school records for scoring, first downs and total offense. Britt and Underwood were the first teammates in BIG EAST history with 1,000 receiving yards in the same season
• Rutgers went to four bowls in five years during his first stint in New Jersey, including three straight bowl victories.
• Was the tight ends coach for the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers for two seasons.
• Coached receivers for the Arizona Cardinals, including All-Pro selection Larry Fitzgerald.
• Mentored QB Mike Glennon to all-rookie honors during the 2013 season in Tampa Bay.
• Spent two seasons as QB coach for the Titans, including Marcus Mariota’s all-rookie campaign which saw the QB tie Peyton Manning’s record for games with at least three TD passes by a rookie (four). Mariota also broke Tennessee franchise rookie records for passing TDs (19), completions (230) and passing yards (2,818)

DYNAMIC DISCIPLES

TE Tommy Tremble (Notre Dame)

• Heralded as one of the best blocking tight ends in the nation, earned All-ACC Honorable Mention status after his true junior season in 2021. 
• Drafted 83rd overall (20th pick of the third round) by the Carolina Panthers. With Tremble’s selection, every Notre Dame week one starting tight end since 2003 has been drafted, beginning with Anthony Fasano.

WR Larry Fitzgerald (Arizona Cardinals)

• Pro Bowl selection all three seasons coached

WR Anquan Boldin (Arizona Cardinals)

• In 2009, totaled 84 receptions for 1,024 yards and four TDs

QB Marcus Mariota (Tennessee Titans)

• Set Titans franchise records for passing TDs, completions and passing yards by a rookie

WR Kenny Britt (Rutgers)

• Part of a record-setting offensive attack at Rutgers in 2017
• Went on to play 10 seasons in the NFL

RB Ray Rice (Rutgers)

• In 2007, totaled 380 rushes for 2,012 yards and 24 touchdowns

TE Antonio Gates (San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers)

• Had 83 receptions for 864 yards and 10 TDs in two seasons at the age of 37 playing for McNulty