Holy Cross Athletics

Mike Pucko returns to the Holy Cross football staff in 2024 as an assistant defensive line coach. He had a previous stint on the Crusaders' staff as the defensive line coach from 2019 to 2021. 

Pucko helped guide Holy Cross to three Patriot League championships and NCAA football championship subdivision berths. During the Spring 2021 season, delayed from the fall of 2020 due to COVID-19, Holy Cross defeated Bucknell in the first-ever Patriot League championship game; three Holy Cross defensive linemen earned All-Patriot League honors.

In 2019, Pucko helped the Crusaders to their first Patriot League championship in 10 years, and just the third NCAA football championship subdivision berth in program history. In addition, defensive linemen Mark Ebo and Benton Whitley both earned All-Patriot League honors.

Pucko joined the Crusaders after spending two years at Assumption College as the linebackers coach (2016) and defensive line coach (2017). He helped the Greyhounds to an overall record of 20-5 during that time, with two trips to the NCAA playoffs.

Prior to his time at Assumption, Pucko was the head football coach at Holy Name Central Catholic High School from 2005-2015, posting an overall record of 89-42 and winning the Division 2 Super Bowl twice (2005 and 2006) and the Division 1A Super Bowl once (2008). He previously served as the head football coach at West Boylston High School from 2001-2004 and the defensive coordinator at West Boylston (1993-1996, 1998-2000) and Marlboro High School (1997).

Pucko earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Connecticut in 1976 and his master’s degree in business administration from Anna Maria College in 1982. As a player, he was a two-year varsity letterwinner at UConn, earning second team All-Yankee Conference honors in 1975. Pucko was the recipient of the Distinguished Service to Central Massachusetts Football Award from the National Football Foundation and the College Hall of Fame, and is a member of the Fitchburg High School Hall of Fame.