Craig Candeto returns to the program where his coaching career began as graduate assistant in 2009, this time as the running backs coach for the Governors.
Candeto spent the previous three seasons at Georgia Tech, including the last two as the quarterbacks and b-backs coach. In 2016, he served as the assistant director of football operations. He was also a graduate assistant for the Yellow Jackets in 2010.
In 2017, quarterback TaQuon Marshall (1,146 rushing yards) and b-back KirVonte Benson (1,053 rushing yards) became the second-highest single-season rushing duo in Georgia Tech history, combining for 2,199 yards. The tandem also combined for 11 100-yard rushing games, including four contests in which they both surpassed the 100-yard mark, making them the first Tech teammates to ever record four games with 100 rushing yards apiece in a single season.
During the 2018 season, quarterbacks Marshall and Tobias Oliver were the top two rushers on the team and combined for 1,847 yards and 23 touchdowns.
Prior to Georgia Tech, Candeto was the head coach of Division III Captial University for three seasons (2013-15). In his final year, the Crusaders ranked among the top 15 out of 243 teams nationally in five major statistical categories, highlighted by having the nation’s No. 6-ranked rushing offense (307.3 ypg). Candeto’s teams also broke six school records during his three years at Capital.
Candeto gained two years of experience (2011-12) as the quarterbacks/h-backs coach at the Citadel after two seasons as a graduate assistant at APSU and Georgia Tech.
Candeto played both football and baseball as a student-athlete at the U.S. Naval Academy from 2000-04. He was a two-year starter at quarterback and a two-time winner of Navy’s Memorial Silver Helmet Award as the team’s most outstanding player. As a senior captain in 2003, he accounted for 2,252 yards of total offense (1,140 passing, 1,112 rushing) and 23 touchdowns (seven passing, 16 rushing) while leading Navy to an 8-5 record and an appearance in the Houston Bowl.
After graduating from the Naval Academy in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in economics, Candeto served five years in the U.S. Navy, reaching the rank of lieutenant. His final assignment was as a fighter pilot with Strike Fighter Squadron 106 in Virginia Beach, Va., flying the $57 million F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.
Candeto and his wife, the former Maribeth Robinson, have a son, Christian.
The Candeto File
College: U.S. Naval Academy, 2004
Coaching:
2019: Austin Peay (Running Backs)
2017-18: Georgia Tech (Quarterbacks/B-Backs)
2016: Georgia Tech (Assistant Director of Football Operations)
2013-15: Capital University (Head Coach)
2011-12: The Citadel (Quarterbacks/B-Backs)
2010: Georgia Tech (Graduate Assistant)
2009: Austin Peay (Graduate Assistant)
