Former Arizona State football coach Dan Cozzetto dies: 'Loved his players like sons'
Cozzetto was the offensive coordinator on Arizona State's Rose Bowl team in the 1996 season.
According to Football Scoop, Cozzetto died of a heart ailment. He was 70.
"For those that knew Coach Cozz, they will tell you he was a charismatic person and pleasure to be around," former ASU offensive lineman Juan Roque, who played under Cozzetto, wrote on Facebook. "He had a huge, welcoming grin and a very friendly way about him that made you respect him.
"For those of us who played at ASU, we were exposed to a great teacher, an intense coach and a man who loved his players like sons."
From the archives: Phoenix College football offers hope with Dan Cozzetto
Dan Cozzetto remembered as 'teacher, mentor, trusted advisor'
Cozzetto was ASU's offensive coordinator and offensive line coach from 1992-1999 under Bruce Snyder. He returned to the school as the team's tight ends coach under Dennis Erickson for two seasons from 2007-08.
Cozzetto was also a quality control assistant under Herm Edwards in 2018, giving him three stints with the Sun Devils.
"He was my teacher, my mentor, a trusted advisor and a man I feared, yes I feared letting him down," Roque wrote of Cozzetto. "He was that powerful of an influence that you played your guts out so you would not disappoint him because you felt how much he loved this sport and being part of it. Rest in Peace Coach! I love you and will always cherish the ass chewings, the talks and the hugs you gave."
Dan Cozzetto was 'one of the best in the profession'
Cozzetto also coached at Idaho, California, Oregon State, Washington and Idaho State, as well as for the San Francisco 49ers as their tight ends coach in 2004.
He also spent time as the coach at Phoenix College.
"One of my beloved colleagues in coaching," Robin Pflugrad, who coached with Cozzetto at ASU and Phoenix College, told Football Scoop. "He was one of the best in the profession, an incredible offensive line coach. He had a great career at Washington, Idaho, ASU, Oregon State and the 49ers.
"Unbelievable coach and mentor to offensive lines. He was actually our offensive coordinator during our run with ASU. What a great, great person he was. He will be missed by so many."
Related: Former ASU assistant Dan Cozzetto to lead Phoenix College football
Social media remembers Dan Cozzetto: 'He was so much more than a coach'
Social media tributes poured in for Cozzetto after people learned of his death, with former ASU offensive lineman Kyle Murphy among those taking time to honor the former Arizona State coach.
"Coach Cozzetto passing away breaks my heart," Murphy wrote. "He was so much more than a coach. I'm not sure there are enough adjectives to describe what he meant to me. He believed in me. He saw something in me that at the time I couldn't see. Then he made me believe in myself. He rode your ass & was demanding. He was also loving & would do anything for "his guys." The bond we developed as an OL was a reflection of our bond w/him. That bond never diminished. It never faded. He was a giant for us. He will be greatly missed. Love you, Coach."
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Former Arizona State football coach Dan Cozzetto dies
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