UCLA loses offensive line coach Colletto to the Lions

UCLA offensive line coach Jim Colletto accepted the same job with the Detroit Lions on Monday, joining a growing list of former assistants to Coach Karl Dorrell.

Colletto, who was with the Bruins for only one season, returns to the pro ranks, where he coached with the Baltimore Ravens from 1999-2004 and Oakland Raiders in 2005.

“This was a hard decision for me to make,” Colletto said in a statement. “Karl [Dorrell] gave me a great opportunity and I am thankful to him for that.

“I just felt that the opportunity with Detroit was one I could not turn down.”

This is the third time Colletto, a former football and baseball standout at UCLA, has left a Bruins’ coaching staff. He also coached at UCLA from 1967-68 and 1980-81.

“I know this was a tough decision for Jim,” Dorrell said. “He did a great job for us this past season. I know he doesn’t like to leave after just one year, but the job with the Lions is ideal for him at this point in his career.”

Colletto is the eighth coach to leave Dorrell’s staff since the end of the 2005 season, including offensive coordinator Jim Svoboda, who was fired and replaced by Jay Norvell this month.

Lonnie White

*

*

Former Cleveland Browns coach Chris Palmer was hired as quarterbacks coach of the New York Giants, taking over the job of making Eli Manning more consistent.

Coach Tom Coughlin said Palmer, 57, will contribute to the game plans, but his main job will be working with Manning.

*

Arizona Cardinals Coach Ken Whisenhunt hired Maurice Carthon as his running backs coach and Richie Anderson as his tight ends coach.

*

Mike Tomlin apparently intends to make special teams a priority in his first season as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ coach.

Tomlin completed his first staff by hiring five new coaches, including Bob Ligashesky as the special teams coach and Amos Jones as Ligashesky’s assistant. The Steelers have never had two coaches devoted to special teams, with Chuck Noll once coaching them himself.

Also added were receivers coach Randy Fichtner, running backs coach Kirby Wilson and offensive line coach Larry Zierlein.

*

The Cleveland Browns added three assistants, hiring Steve Marshall as offensive line coach, Tom Myslinski as strength and conditioning coach and Alan DeGennaro as assistant strength and conditioning coach.