Lorenzo “Zo” Costantini is in his second year at Georgia Southern and serves as the defensive coordinator for the Eagles. Costantini came to Statesboro after serving as the defensive line coach for UCF.
In his second stint at UCF, Costantini coached three seasons with the Knights, working as their defensive line coach. Relentless on the recruiting trail, Costantini was responsible at UCF for recruiting the Florida Panhandle (from Escambia County to Franklin and Liberty County), southern Alabama, Houston, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan and Mississippi.
In 2016, his first season in Statesboro, a pair of linebackers both tallied over 100 tackles to lead the way. Ironhead Gallon (102 tackles) was named first-team all-conference and Ukeme Eligwe (104 stops) was named to the Sun Belt’s All-Newcomer Team.
A native of Houston, Texas, Costantini has been a defensive line coach at five schools in his career. He spent 2012 with Southern Miss after serving on the UAB staff from 2007-11.
UCF’s sacks total increased from 29 in 2013 to 36 in 2014, in large part to Costantini’s guidance up front. Eight players had multiple sacks, highlighted by Thomas Niles with 7.5 and Jaryl Mamea with 7.0. Both of those Knights went on to be named to the All-American Athletic Conference Second Team.
With the Knights ranking in the top 20 in several defensive categories that year, they produced a 9-4 overall record, received a trip to the Bitcoin St. Petersburg Bowl and won back-to-back league titles.
Costantini was part of the memorable 2013 season in which UCF won a school-record 12 games, the American Athletic Conference title and the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. The Knights finished ranked No. 10 in the country as they defeated two top-10 teams (No. 6/5 Baylor and No. 8/6 Louisville) along the way.
The UCF defense held 10 of its 13 opponents to under their scoring averages during 2013 even though it used several freshmen throughout the season. And UCF amassed 29 sacks while giving up just 22.
At Southern Miss, Costantini helped Jamie Collins earn a spot on the All-C-USA First Team as he led the team with 92 tackles, 20 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. He also forced four fumbles and broke up five passes. Costantini also guided Elliott Henigan to all-conference status at UAB following a three-year stint at Tulane.
UCF’s defensive lines produced solid seasons under Costantini. The 2002 squad ranked third in the Mid-American Conference with 31 sacks, while both the 2000 and 2001 defenses placed in the top 30 in the country.
In 2002, Costantini played a vital role in coaching Elton Patterson to a spot on the All-MAC First Team. Patterson, who finished his career in the top five in school history in sacks, was a seventh-round draft pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2003. Costantini also coached Josh McKibben, who was named the team’s defensive MVP and signed with the Baltimore Ravens.
Prior to his first stint at UCF, Costantini was the defensive line coach at UTEP from 1996-00 while serving as the strength and conditioning coach from 1995-00. In the 2000 NFL Draft, WAC Defensive Player of the Year Brian Young (St. Louis Rams) and Leif Larsen (Buffalo Bills) were drafted while Costantini was at UTEP.
Graduating from UTEP with a degree in education in 1990, Costantini was a four-year letterwinner and a member of the 1988 team that won 10 games and made an appearance in the Independence Bowl. He began his playing career for the Miners as an offensive lineman, but moved to defensive end and finally nose guard for his senior season. As a senior, he recorded 33 tackles, two tackles for loss, caused one fumble and recovered a fumble.
He began his collegiate coaching career at UTEP in 1995 as the team’s strength & conditioning coach and was promoted to defensive line coach a year later. At UTEP, Costantini coached four players who earned All-Western Athletic Conference honors eight times during their careers. He coached at Jefferson High School in El Paso from 1992-94 where he was the defensive coordinator and strength & conditioning coach.
Born in Rome, Italy, Costantini and his wife Merritt have two children, Rocco and Sofia.
The Costantini File
Personal
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Birthday: August 19, 1968 in Rome, Italy
Alma Mater: UTEP (1990)
Education: Bachelor’s (education)
Family: wife, Merritt; son, Rocco; daughter, Sofia
Playing Experience
UTEP (1986-89)
Coaching Experience
2016-: Georgia Southern (assistant coach)
2013-15: UCF (defensive line)
2012: Southern Miss (defensive line)
2007-11: UAB (defensive line)
2004-06: Tulane (defensive line)
2000-03: UCF (defensive line)
1996-00: UTEP (defensive line/strength & conditioning)
1995: UTEP (strength & conditioning)
1992-94: Jefferson (Texas) High School: (defensive coordinator/strength & conditioning)
1991: UTEP (G.A., defensive line)
Bowl Experience
Coach
2014: St. Petersburg (UCF vs. NC State)
2013: Fiesta (UCF vs. Baylor)
2000: Humanitarian (UTEP vs. Boise State)
Player
1988: Independence (UTEP vs. Southern Miss)
