Coach

In 2010, the Chargers offensive line under Sullivan and Hal Hunter helped San Diego lead the NFL in total offense. The Chargers rushed for more than 1,800 yards and scored 18 touchdowns on the ground.

A former NFL guard and center, Sullivan was drafted by Dallas in the sixth round in 1991. He played four seasons in Tampa Bay from 1992-95, appearing in 48 career games. Sullivan was recognized for his work in the community. He earned Tampa Bay’s Community Service Player of the Year Award in ’93 and was a finalist for NFL Man of the Year honors in ’96. He also started a program in his native Chicago to provided scholarships to students at his alma mater, St Francis de Sales High School.

In Tampa, Sullivan served two two-year terms as the Buccaneers’ representative to the NFL Players Association.

Sullivan jumped into coaching in 1997, spending five seasons teaching the game internationally in Germany, France and Spain. In 2001, he returned to the States and landed his first NFL job with the Cleveland Browns. Sullivan coached a second stint in Cleveland from 2007-08, helping left tackle Joe Thomas earn Pro Bowl honors in his first two NFL seasons. In ’07, Thomas became the Browns’ first Pro Bowl linemansince 1987 and their first rookie Pro Bowler since 1982.

Sullivan played collegiately at the University of Miami, starting 48 consecutive games at tackle from 1986-91. At the time, it was the second-longest streak in school history. He played on National Championship teams for the ’Canes in 1987 and ’89. Sullivan earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s in international business management at Miami, and in 1990 he received a Post-Graduate Scholarship Award from the NCAA. In 2009, Sullivan was inducted into the University of Miami’s Sports Hall of Fame along with former ’Canes and NFL running back Edgerrin James.

Sullivan and his wife, Carole, have two sons, Patrick and John, and a daughter, Teagan.