Dan Dorazio

Daniel Joseph Dorazio (January 22, 1952 – August 13, 2024) was an American professional football coach who coached for 26 years in the NCAA, 22 years in the Canadian Football League (CFL), and for one year in U Sports. He was a four-time Grey Cup champion after winning with the Calgary Stampeders in 1998 and 2001 and with the BC Lions in 2006 and 2011. Under his direction as an offensive line coach, he had four players win the CFL's Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award.

Early life and education Dorazio was born to parents Joseph and Helen Dorazio in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, and grew up in Pittsburgh.

Coaching career NCAA Dorazio began his coaching career as a graduate assistant on the Kent State Golden Flashes staff and was assigned to the offensive line by head coach Don James. In 1984, Dorazio's offensive line scheme helped the fourth-ranked Huskies to a victory over the Oklahoma Sooners in the 1985 Orange Bowl. In his first season, Fred Childress was named a CFL All-Star as well as the CFL's Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman and the Stampeders won the 86th Grey Cup.

BC Lions (first stint) After Buono was hired as the head coach of the BC Lions, Dorazio joined his coaching staff as the team's offensive line coach for the 2003 season.

Saskatchewan Roughriders On February 2, 2015, it was announced that Dorazio had joined the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Corey Chamblin's staff as the team's offensive line coach, reuniting him with former BC Lions offensive coordinator, Jacques Chapdelaine. The Roughriders finished with a league-worst 3–15 record and the entire coaching staff was dismissed.

BC Lions (second stint) After Tedford resigned as the Lions' head coach and Buono returned as head coach, Dorazio was hired back to his coaching staff for the 2016 season. He spent three seasons in his second stint as the Lions' offensive line coach.

Toronto Argonauts On February 7, 2019, it was announced that Dorazio had joined the Toronto Argonauts as the team's offensive line coach, with Chapdelaine and Chamblin also serving on the team's coaching staff, the latter as head coach. After a disappointing season for the team, Chamblin was fired and replaced by Ryan Dinwiddie, who subsequently hired Stephen McAdoo as the new offensive line coach to replace Dorazio for 2020.

Canadian university football Dorazio was hired as the offensive line coach for the UBC Thunderbirds, but only spent spring training with the team as the 2020 U Sports football season was cancelled. He was then hired by Simon Fraser on August 29, 2020, by interim head coach Mike Rigell, to serve as the team's offensive line coach and co-offensive coordinator. However, their 2020 season was also cancelled and he did not coach for Simon Fraser.

On March 22, 2023, it was announced that Dorazio had re-joined the Thunderbirds as their offensive line coach. The Thunderbirds also played in the 58th Vanier Cup that year, but lost to the Montreal Carabins.

Personal life and death Dorazio was married to Lisa Caroglanian Dorazio and had three children and four grandchildren. His daughter Christina predeceased him in 1999.

Dorazio died of pancreatic cancer in Abbotsford, British Columbia, on August 13, 2024, at the age of 72.