Steve Buratto
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Steve Buratto is a Canadian Football League coach who is the current Offensive Coordinator of the Toronto Argonauts.
Buratto’s pro coaching career started in 1980 as the Offensive Line Coach for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. In 1983, he became the Defensive Coordinator for the B.C. Lions, where his team lost to the Argonauts in the Grey Cup final. He was named Head Coach of the Calgary Stampeders in 1984. After a 6-10 record and a last place finish in the West Division, he was fired and replaced by Bob Vespaziani. In 1986 he returned to B.C. as their Co-Offensive Coordinator/Defensive Coordinator. After a 7 year hiatus, he returned to coaching in 1993 as the Offensive Line Coach for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He then helped build one of the greatest offences in league history as Offensive Coordinator of the Baltimore Stallions. In 1994 and 1995 the team made back-to-back Grey Cup appearances.
In 2000 he became receivers coach for the Lions, however only held the job for a few weeks as he was promoted to head coach after head coach Greg Mohns resigned to join the XFL. Over the team's final 12 games he lead the Lions to a 6-6 record, good enough for a spot in the playoffs. In the Division Semifinals B.C. upset the Edmonton Eskimos 34-32 at Commonwealth Stadium. In the Division Finals, the Lions traveled to McMahon Stadium where they defeated the 12-5 Calgary Stampeders 37-23. In the 88th Grey Cup, the Lions faced the 12-6 Montreal Alouettes. Despite being an underdog, the Lions held the lead throughout the game and won 28-26. The Lions, who finished with an 8-10 record during the regular season, became the first team ever to finish with a regular season record below .500 and win the Grey Cup.
Buratto was retained by the Lions for the 2001 season, going 8-10 and losing to Calgary in the Division Semifinals. After a 1-5 start in 2002, Buratto was replaced by General Manager Adam Rita.
Buratto became the Lions’ Offensive Coordinator in 2003 and in 2004, helped guide his team to the Grey Cup. In 2005 he joined Tom Higgins staff in Calgary as Offensive Coordinator. After being let go by the Stampeders, the Argonauts hired Buratto to replaced the fired Kent Austin as Offensive Coordinator.
Steve is married to Judy and they make Boise, Idaho their off-season home. Steve has three children from a previous marriage, Steve Jr., Dina, and Jill. As the starting centre for the Idaho Vandals football squad, he played with Jerry Campbell and Don Matthews.
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