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University of Miami offensive lineman Pat Ruel is pictured below on the far right along with UM teammates (left to right): Stan Bujalski, Steve Gaunt and Tom Turchetta in 1971. Ruel would later become one of the most successful offensive line coaches in football. As a longtime member of Pete Carroll’s coaching staff, he has been a part of a Super Bowl championship with the Seattle Seahawks and at USC. But Ruel’s championship pedigree began at the Orange Bowl playing for Coral Gables High School. Photo originally posted by Larry Blustein.
Born Golden Pat Ruel in Coral Gables, he was an All City offensive lineman at Coral Gables High (Class of 1968). During his senior year, Ruel played for the 1967 Cavaliers, which captured the state championship and the mythical national championship under legendary coach Nick Kotys. In 2007, the FHSAA named the 1967 Cavaliers at the greatest high school team in state history. During that time, Coral Gables High played several times at the Orange Bowl, including a 16-0 victory over Miami High in front of 39,000 fans.
Ruel stayed home to play his college football at the University of Miami from 1969 to 1971 where he played all of his home games at the Orange Bowl. After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at UM, Ruel started his coaching career as a graduate assistant for the Hurricanes in 1973. He spent his first 4 years coaching at his alma mater before, joining Lou Holtz’s staff at Arkansas in 1977. That season ended with a dramatic upset victory over Oklahoma at the 1978 Orange Bowl. Since then, Ruel has coached at several college and NFL teams. He has been a member of Pete Carroll’s staff since 2005 to 2020 at USC and the Seattle Seahawks. To read more stories about the Orange Bowl, visit us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/
