Jan. 6, 2017
THE FLATS – Craig Candeto, a college football coaching veteran, former quarterback under head coach Paul Johnson and one-time U.S. Navy fighter pilot, has been named Georgia Tech’s quarterbacks/B-backs coach, Johnson announced on Friday.
Candeto, 34, returns to coaching after one season as Tech’s assistant director of football operations. His promotion to assistant coach marks his third role as a member of Georgia Tech’s football staff. He spent one season as a graduate assistant under Johnson in 2010 before returning to The Flats last February to assist with the program’s day-to-day operations.
“I’m excited to have Craig move into a coaching role on our staff,” Johnson said. “His understanding of our offense as a coach and a player, his wide range of coaching experience – from graduate assistant to head coach – and his knowledge of Georgia Tech make him a great fit. I think he’ll do a great job.”
Candeto’s coaching experience includes three seasons as head coach at Capital University (2013-15). In his final season at the Columbus, Ohio school, the Crusaders ranked among the top 15 out of 243 NCAA Division III teams nationally in five major statistical categories, highlighted by having the nation’s No. 6-ranked rushing offense (307.3 ypg). Candeto’s teams also broke six school records during his three years at Capital.
Prior to his head-coaching stint, Candeto spent two seasons as quarterbacks/B-backs coach at The Citadel (2011-12). He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Austin Peay (2009) and Georgia Tech (2010).
Candeto played both football and baseball as a student-athlete at the U.S. Naval Academy from 2000-04. He was a two-year starter at quarterback under Johnson (2002-03) and a two-time winner of Navy’s Memorial Silver Helmet Award as the team’s most outstanding player. As a senior captain in 2003, he accounted for 2,252 yards of total offense (1,140 passing, 1,112 rushing) and 23 touchdowns (seven passing, 16 rushing) while leading Navy to an 8-5 record and an appearance in the Houston Bowl, an impressive accomplishment for a team that had won a total of three games over the previous three seasons.
After graduating from the Naval Academy in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in economics, Candeto served five years in the U.S. Navy, reaching the rank of Lieutenant. His final assignment was as a fighter pilot with Strike Fighter Squadron 106 in Virginia Beach, Va., flying the $57 million F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.
“I want to start by thanking Coach Paul Johnson for this incredible opportunity,” Candeto said. “Having been around the program for the past year, I know that I am inheriting a talented group of great young men to work with at quarterback and B-back. I’m excited to help keep the program moving in the right direction.”
Candeto is married to the former Maribeth Robinson.
CANDETO AT A GLANCE
Personal
Birthdate: March 6, 1982
Alma Mater: U.S. Naval Academy (2004)
Family: Wife, Maribeth (Robinson)
Playing Experience
2000-03: Navy (quarterback)
Coaching Experience
2009: Austin Peay (graduate assistant)
2010: Georgia Tech (graduate assistant)
2011-12: The Citadel (quarterbacks/B-backs)
2013-15: Capital (head coach)
2016: Georgia Tech (assistant director of football operations)
2017-: Georgia Tech (quarterbacks/B-backs)
