INDIANA, Pa. - Former IUP football graduate assistant coach Anthony Piroli is a NFL champion after his Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9 in Super Bowl LV. 

Piroli just finished his second season as the Bucs head strength and conditioning coach.

Piroli was a member of the IUP football coaching staff during the 2007 season, helping the team to a 9-3 overall record and appearance in the NCAA Division II playoffs. IUP advanced to the second round that year, defeating West Chester 43-35 before falling to Shepherd 41-34 in West Virginia. 

Piroli was one of eight former members of the IUP football family in this year's NFL playoffs. He was joined by Nick Sirianni (offensive coordinator) and Chad Henry (area scout) of the Indianapolis Colts; Brandon Hunt (pro scouting coordinator) of the Pittsburgh Steelers; Jim Haslett (linebackers coach) of the Tennessee Titans; Kevin Weidl (area scout) of the Baltimore Ravens; Luke Getsy (quarterback coach) of the Green Bay Packers; and Jim Hostler (receivers coach) of the Washington Football Team.

Sirianni was recently named the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles. 

Piroli's Bucs went 11-5 during the regular season to earn the fifth seed in the playoffs. They defeated the Hostler's Washington Football Team 31-23 in the Wild Card Round, the New Orleans Saints 30-20 in the Divisional Round, and Getsy's Green Bay Packers 31-26 in the NFC Championship. 

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