Hall of Fame

Zinni

Gene Zinni

  • Class
  • Induction
    2016
  • Sport(s)
    Coach
  • Coached the offensive line at Buffalo State over two stints that covered nearly 20 years dating back to 1990
  • Was a successful coach at every level, coaching at Sweet Home High School, the Twin City Geminis semi-professional team, the University at Buffalo, the Arena League’s Buffalo Destroyers and the Bengals
  • Respected and loved by his former players for his football knowledge and great sense of humor
  • His 2015 offensive line unit helped the running game average 190 yards per game while allowing just 15 sacks in 11 games
  • Was an accomplished player as a member of the famed 1958 University at Buffalo football team that forfeited the only bowl bid the program had ever received.  The team won the Lambert Cup, the Eastern U.S. small-college football championship and was invited to play in the 1958 Tangerine Bowl against Florida State. The team voted to turn down the bowl invitation after learning that they would be allowed to participate only if the team's two black players stayed home.
  • Was inducted in 1995 into the UB Football Hall of Fame  
  • When asked about his coaching career not long before his passing, Zinni said, "I have cherished the lasting friendships I made throughout my career with other coaches and the players.  It has been a great ride."
  • Passed away on Feb. 25, 2016 at the age of 79
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