Paul Boudreau

{{Short description|American gridiron football coach (born 1949)}}

{{Infobox NFL biography

| name = Paul Boudreau

| image = Paul Boudreau Rams.png

| alt = Posed head and shoulders photograph of Boudreau wearing eyeglasses and blue pullover bearing a St. Louis Rams logo standing in an apparently empty stadium

| caption = Boudreau in 2014

| current_team =

| position =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1949|12|30|mf=y}}

| birth_place =

| death_date =

| death_place =

| high_school = Bordentown Military

| college = Boston College

| pastcoaching = * Boston College (1974–1975)
Offensive line coach

Maine (1976–1978)
Offensive line coach
Dartmouth (1979–1981)
Offensive line coach
Navy (1982)
Offensive line coach
Edmonton Eskimos (1983–1986)
Offensive line coach
New Orleans Saints (1987–1993)
Offensive line coach
Detroit Lions (1994–1996)
Offensive line coach
New England Patriots (1997–1998)
Offensive line coach
Miami Dolphins (1999–2000)
Offensive line coach
Carolina Panthers (2001–2002)
Offensive line coach
Jacksonville Jaguars (2003–2005)
Offensive line coach
St. Louis Rams (2006–2007)
Offensive line coach
Atlanta Falcons (2008–2011)
Offensive line coach
St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams (2012–2016)
Offensive line coach

| highlights =

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| pfrcoach =

}}

Paul T. Boudreau (born December 30, 1949) is an American football coach who last served as offensive line coach for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He has served as the offensive line coach for eight different NFL teams, one Canadian Football League (CFL) team, and four college teams. No offensive line coach in the NFL has more experience as an assistant at the professional level than Boudreau, who entered his 29th season in 2015.{{cite web|title=COACHES|url=http://www.therams.com/team/coaches/paul-boudreausr/40d859e3-8ca1-4bcd-be3f-cce2a05fdb37|website=Los Angeles Rams|accessdate=January 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201033030/http://www.therams.com/team/coaches/paul-boudreausr/40d859e3-8ca1-4bcd-be3f-cce2a05fdb37|archive-date=December 1, 2017|url-status=dead}} Boudreau's offensive lines over the years have blocked for five running backs who crossed the 10,000-yard career rushing mark, including Barry Sanders, Curtis Martin, Thurman Thomas, Fred Taylor and Steven Jackson.{{cite web|title=Coaches|url=http://www.therams.com/team/coaches/paul-boudreausr/40d859e3-8ca1-4bcd-be3f-cce2a05fdb37|website=Los Angeles Rams|accessdate=January 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201033030/http://www.therams.com/team/coaches/paul-boudreausr/40d859e3-8ca1-4bcd-be3f-cce2a05fdb37|archive-date=December 1, 2017|url-status=dead}}{{cite web | url = http://media.atlantafalcons.com/assets/Boudreau_Paul.pdf | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120227145740/http://media.atlantafalcons.com/assets/Boudreau_Paul.pdf | url-status = dead| archive-date = February 27, 2012 | title = 2011 Atlanta Coaches - Offensive Line - Paul Boudreau | work = media.atlantafalcons.com | accessdate = September 6, 2012 }}

Biography

=Early years=

Raised in Arlington, Massachusetts,{{cite web | url = http://www.accessnorthga.com/detail.php?n=206399 | title = Falcons add Boudreau as offensive line coach | publisher = AccessNorthGa | date=January 31, 2008 | accessdate = September 7, 2012}} Boudreau played offensive line at Arlington High School.{{citation needed|date=September 2012}} Boudreau attended Bordentown Military Institute in Bordentown, New Jersey{{cite web | author = Bob Donnan/US Presswire

| url = http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2012/01/giants_vs_falcons_atlantas_off.html | title = Giants vs. Falcons: Atlanta's offensive linemen, 'dirtbags' or not, face a tough task in playoff game | work = NJ.com | publisher = New Jersey Online, LLC | date = January 8, 2012| accessdate = September 7, 2012}} starting in 1967, where he played offensive guard and defensive tackle.{{citation needed|date=September 2012}} He received All-Prep honors from the Newark Star Ledger for the 1968 season,{{citation needed|date=September 2012}} and graduated in 1969.{{cite journal | url = http://www.bmicadets.org/Skirmisher-01-04.htm

| title = The Skirmisher | date = Winter 2004 | work = Bordentown Military Institute Alumni Association | accessdate = September 6, 2012

}} Boudreau was widely recruited,{{clarify|date=September 2012}} but returned to Massachusetts and played for Boston College under coach Joe Yukica as an offensive lineman from 1971 until his graduation in 1973.{{cite web | url = http://www.nfl.com/teams/coaches?coaType=assist&team=STL | title = St. Louis Rams – Coaches – Assistant Coaches | accessdate = September 6, 2012 | work = NFL.com}}

=Coaching career=

Boudreau began his coaching career as an assistant at Oxford High School in Oxford, Massachusetts. He then joined his alma mater where he specialized as the offensive line coach from 1974–1975. He continued as the offensive line coach at other colleges including the University of Maine (1976–78), Dartmouth College (1979–81), and the United States Naval Academy (1982). He then joined the Edmonton Eskimos staff in the Canadian Football League and was the offensive line coordinator from 1983–1986.New Orleans Saints Media Guide – 1992

Boudreau's first position in the NFL was with the New Orleans Saints. In his seven seasons with the Saints, his offensive line placed in the top three in fewest sacks allowed on four occasions. In 1992, the Saints

allowed a league-low 15 sacks.{{cite web | url = https://www.scribd.com/doc/25836006/2009-Atlanta-Falcons-Media-Guide?query=boudreau | title = 2009 Atlanta Falcons Media Guide | publisher = Scribd.com | date = September 22, 2011 | accessdate = September 6, 2012}} He then joined the Detroit Lions, under head coach Wayne Fontes, where his offensive line helped Barry Sanders rush for over 1,500 yards each season, and almost 5,000 yards total over three seasons.{{cite web | url = https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SandBa00.htm | title = Barry Sanders NFL Football Statistics | publisher = Pro-Football-Reference.com | date =

| accessdate = September 7, 2012}}{{cite news | url = https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20000101/A20000103010431/agent-sanders-would-consider-dolphins | title = Sanders would consider Dolphins | date = January 1, 2000 | agency = Associated Press | work = The Miami Herald, The Seattle Times | access-date = September 6, 2012 | quote = Dolphin offensive line coach Paul Boudreau was also the offensive line coach of the Detroit Lions from 1994–96 when Sanders gained nearly 5,000 yards.}} In the 1997 and 1998 seasons, Boudreau coached the offensive line for the New England Patriots under head coach Pete Carroll.{{cite news | url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1683&dat=20020313&id=DjcqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ckUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6578,1879984 | title = Anybody's guess: Former Patriots' assistants don't know what makes Glenn tick | last = McGinn | first = Bob | date = March 13, 2002 | newspaper = Milwaukee Journal Sentinel}}

Jimmy Johnson brought Boudreau to the Miami Dolphins for the 1999 season.{{cite web

| url = http://www.phins.com/personnel/droster99.May.html | title = Dolphins 1999 Roster | publisher = Phins.com | date = | accessdate=September 6, 2012}} Johnson eventually resigned in January 2000 and was replaced by assistant head coach and defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt, but Boudreau remained on the staff. In July, at the age of 50, Boudreau took a short medical leave of absence{{cite web | url = http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2000-07-18/sports/0007180220_1_paul-boudreau-dolphins-coach-last-season | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303225030/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2000-07-18/sports/0007180220_1_paul-boudreau-dolphins-coach-last-season | url-status = dead | archive-date = March 3, 2016 | title = Line Coach Boudreau Taking Medical Leave | last = Marvez | first = Alex | date = July 18, 2000 | work = Sun Sentinel | accessdate = September 6, 2012}} for kidney surgery.{{cite web | url = https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2000/08/08/miami-assistant-back-after-kidney-surgery/ | title = Miami Assistant Back After Kidney Surgery | last = Marvez | first = Alex | work = Orlando Sentinel | date = August 8, 2000 }} When he returned for the 2000 season, his offensive line allowed only 28 sacks, the fourth best in the NFL.

In January 2001, Boudreau joined the Carolina Panthers, whose previous offensive line coach Tony Wise coincidentally accepted Boudreau's job in Miami.{{cite news | url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1876&dat=20010119&id=b7keAAAAIBAJ&sjid=9M8EAAAAIBAJ&pg=7001,618848 | title = Dolphins' Boudreau joins Panthers' staff | newspaper = Spartanburg Herald Journal

| date = January 19, 2001 | accessdate = September 6, 2012}} The Panthers had previously allowed a season high 69 sacks. For the 2001 season, Boudreau's offensive line set a club record of 31 sacks, which ranked 11th in the NFL, although the Panthers still finished with a 1–15 record. In 2002, the offensive line allowed 44 sacks, and the team finished 7–9.{{cite web | url = https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/car/2002.htm | title = 2002 Carolina Panthers

| publisher = Pro-football-reference.com | date = | accessdate=September 26, 2012}}

When Panthers defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio became the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Boudreau followed and served as the offensive line coach from 2003–2005; he also reunited with offensive coordinator and former Saints colleague Carl Smith.{{cite web | last = Stellino | first = Vito | url = http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/081905/jag_19540738.shtml | title = Line forms behind coach | work = Jacksonville.com | publisher = The Florida Times-Union | date=August 19, 2005 | accessdate = September 7, 2012 }}{{cite web | url = http://a.espncdn.com/nfl/columns/pasquarelli_len/1496910.html

}} In 2003, his offensive line set a franchise record of 28 sacks allowed, ninth in the NFL, and running back Fred Taylor set a team rushing record of 1,572 yards.

Scott Linehan brought Boudreau in as offensive line coach for the St. Louis Rams for the 2006 and 2007 seasons. In 2006, his offensive line allowed running back Steven Jackson to rush a career best 1,528 yards.{{cite web | url = https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JackSt00.htm | title = Steven Jackson NFL Football Statistics | publisher = Pro-Football-Reference.com | date =

| accessdate = September 7, 2012 }}

In 2008, Boudreau became the offensive line coach for the Atlanta Falcons under head coach Mike Smith.{{cite web | url = https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=3224397 | title = Falcons hire Boudreau to coach offensive line – NFL – ESPN | last = Pasquarelli | first = Len | publisher = ESPN | date = January 31, 2008 | access-date = September 7, 2012}} The Falcons drafted highly touted and former fellow Boston College Eagle, Matt Ryan.{{cite web | url = http://www.nfl.com/player/mattryan/310/profile | title = Matt Ryan, QB for the Atlanta Falcons at | work = NFL.com | date =

| accessdate = September 7, 2012 }} Boudreau's line assisted running back Michael Turner in attaining a career high 1,699 rushing yards.{{cite web | url = https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TurnMi00.htm

| title = Michael Turner NFL Football Statistics | publisher = Pro-Football-Reference.com | date = February 13, 1982 | accessdate = September 7, 2012}} Although the Falcons had winning records of 11–5, 9–7, 13–3, and 10–6 respectively, they failed to win a playoff game during this period, and Boudreau was released.{{cite web | url = https://www.espn.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/52473/falcons-o-line-coach-boudreau-is-out | title = Falcons' O-line coach Boudreau is out | date = January 17, 2012 | last = Yasinskas | first = Pat | work = ESPN.com

| access-date = September 7, 2012}}

For the 2012 season, Paul Boudreau returned to St. Louis as the offensive line coach, but under a new head coach, Jeff Fisher.{{cite web | last = Thomas |first = Jim | url = http://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/rams-hope-to-have-gm-coaching-openings-filled-soon/article_6dbc1a6e-8e7e-5ca3-8e64-914f48f8292e.html | title = Rams move closer to hiring their GM | publisher = Stltoday | date = February 3, 2012 | accessdate = September 7, 2012}} The Rams finished the 2012 season with a record of 7–8–1, with the tie coming against the eventual NFC champions and division rival, San Francisco 49ers.{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/standings?category=div&season=2012-REG&split=Overall|title=NFL Standings: Division|website=NFL.com |publisher=}} The 2013 season saw the Rams finish the season with a 7–9 record.{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/standings?category=div&season=2013-REG&split=Overall|title=NFL Standings: Division|website=NFL.com |publisher=}} In 2014, the Rams used their number 2 overall pick on offensive lineman, Greg Robinson, of Auburn.{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2060123-st-louis-rams-complete-2014-nfl-draft-wrap-up-and-analysis/page/2|title=St. Louis Rams: Complete 2014 NFL Draft Wrap-Up and Analysis|author=Steven Gerwel|work=Bleacher Report}} The Rams finished the season with a 6–10 record {{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/standings?category=div&season=2014-REG&split=Overall|title=NFL Standings: Division|website=NFL.com |publisher=}} despite losing starting quarterback Sam Bradford{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/11402476/sam-bradford-st-louis-rams-season-torn-acl|title=Sam Bradford of St. Louis Rams out for season with torn ACL|date=August 24, 2014 |publisher=ESPN}} to injury and splitting time between backups Shaun Hill and Austin Davis.{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/teams/st.louisrams/statistics?team=STL|title=St. Louis Rams Stats at NFL.com|website=NFL.com |publisher=}} In 2015, the Rams allowed the fewest sacks in the league (18) and finished seventh in the NFL in rushing yards per game.{{cite web|last1=Wagoner|first1=Nick|title=Rams finish 28th in PFF's offensive line rankings|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/26169/rams-finish-28th-in-pffs-offensive-line-rankings|website=ESPN|date=January 21, 2016 }}

Personal life

Paul Boudreau met his wife Joan in Boston College.{{cite web | url = http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/112104/jag_17243520.shtml | title = It's a great life | work = jacksonville.com | last = Hubbuch | first = Bart | publisher = The Florida Times-Union | date = November 21, 2004 | accessdate = September 7, 2012}} They have two children. Paul Boudreau, Jr. attended Boston College, and is a former assistant coach for the St. Louis Rams, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and Hamilton Tiger-Cats.{{cite web |title=Hamilton Tiger-Cats fire special teams coordinator Paul Boudreau |url=https://3downnation.com/2024/07/02/hamilton-tiger-cates-fire-special-teams-coordinator-paul-boudreau/ |website=3 Down Nation |access-date=12 November 2024}} Jill Boudreau is the mother of four children.