Elliot Uzelac Hometown: Gary, Ind. Last College: Western Michigan Position: Centers/Guards Birthdate: 07/24/1941 Year at Maryland: 3rd

Elliot Uzelac, a former major college head coach who is considered one of the top offensive line technicians in the country, is in his third season coaching the offensive centers and guards.

Uzelac has helped oversee the development of the Terrapins' offensive line into one of the most productive in the ACC. In 1999, Maryland led the Atlantic Coast Conference and finished 12th nationally in rushing yards per game (231.4) while yielding an ACC-low 11 sacks. That followed a major improvement in 1998, when the Terps had the nation's sixth most improved rushing attack.

A 33-year coaching veteran - 32 in the college ranks and one in the NFL - Uzelac came to College Park after serving as offensive coordinator/offensive line coach at the University of Minnesota in 1997.

Prior to Minnesota, he worked the 1995 and '96 seasons as associate head coach and offensive coordinator at the University of Kentucky, where he oversaw a Wildcats' unit that committed just 16 turnovers in '95, fewest in school history. In addition, the Wildcats' 30 touchdowns in 1995 were the most since 1984 and the 24 rushing TD's were the most since 1974. The Wildcats' 1995 roster included tailback Moe Williams, who rushed for 1,600 yards, established three SEC records and set 15 school marks that season.

From 1993-94, he served as offensive coordinator at Colorado, directing a CU unit that led the Big Eight in total offense both seasons and set or tied 55 school records. Colorado's 1994 offense was led by Heisman Trophy winner Rashaan Salaam and Kordell Stewart. In 1994, Colorado posted an 11-1 record and ranked third in the country with 495.3 yards per game of total offense. In '93, Colorado finished with an 8-3-1 overall record and ranked 10th nationally in total offense (470.5 ypg).

A 1964 graduate of Western Michigan, Uzelac also has coached for the Cleveland Browns (1992), Ohio State (1991), Indiana (1990), Navy (head coach 1987-89, assistant coach 1971-72), Michigan (1982-86, 1973-74), Western Michigan (head coach 1975-81), and Bowling Green (1968-70, 1965). Among the coaches he has served under include Bo Schembechler, Bill McCartney, Don Nehlen and Bill Mallory.

During his seven seasons as head coach at Western Michigan, he guided his alma mater to more Mid-American Conference victories than any coach in school history to that point. He was named MAC Coach of the Year in 1976. Uzelac later served a three-year stint as head coach at the U.S. Naval Academy.

Uzelac earned a master's degree in physical education from Bowling Green in 1966. He and his wife, Wendy, have two children, Lisa and Nick, one granddaughter, Jordan, and one grandson, Elliot.

Coaching History

1994  Fiesta Bowl
1993  Aloha Bowl
1992  Hall of Fame Bowl
1991  Peach Bowl
1987  Rose Bowl
1986  Fiesta Bowl
1985  Holiday Bowl
1984  Sugar Bowl
1983  Rose Bowl