Central Michigan University Athletics
Football
Tommy Restivo
- Title:
- Senior Football Analyst
- Year at CMU:
- 1st year at CMU
- Hometown:
- Toledo, Ohio
- Alma Mater/Year:
- Georgetown (Ky.)/2006
Tommy Restivo is his first year at Central Michigan as Senior Football Analyst in 2026.
Restivo joins Defensive Coordinator Sean Cronin’s staff in Mount Pleasant, bringing 14 years of NCAA Division I experience, including seven as a defensive coordinator at Massachusetts (2019-21), South Carolina State (2014-15, 2017), and McNeese State (2016). He previously worked with Cronin at both Florida and South Florida under coach Charlie Strong. Cronin and Restivo both graduated from Georgetown College (Ky.).
Building on his prior experience, Restivo spent three years at UMass as the Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach (2019-21). He became the team’s sole defensive coordinator after the 2019 season, and maintained his linebackers coach role in 2020 and 2021.
In 2019, three of UMass’ top four tacklers emerged from Restivo's linebackers: Cole McCubrey led the squad with a career-best 84 tackles, while Mike Ruane (66 tackles) and Jarvis Miller (60 tackles) ranked second and fourth, respectively. After the season, cornerback Isaiah Rodgers became the 30th Minuteman drafted, selected by the Indianapolis Colts in sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draf.
Before UMass, Restivo spent 2018 at South Florida as safeties coach, helping USF field a disruptive defense with2 takeaways (11 interceptions, 11 fumble recoveries) and 42 pass breakups.
In 2017, Restivo’s leadership enabled South Carolina State to hold opponents to 18.8 points and 279.9 yards per game, while allowing the second-fewest opponent first downs (151) nationally. With future second-round NFL draft pick Darious Leonard anchoring the defense, the Bulldogs ranked in the nation’s top 25 in various defensive categories, including first downs defense, team passing efficiency defense (7th), rushing defense (8th), total defense (8th), red zone defense (19th), scoring defense (19th), and third down conversion percentage (22nd). Leonard earned MEAC Defensive Player of the Year after ranking fourth nationally in tackles per game (11.3).
In 2015, Restivo’s Bulldogs defense ranked No. 1 in the nation in sacks, tackles for loss, pass efficiency defense, and third-down defense. The Bulldogs also ranked third nationally in passing defense, fourth in scoring defense, sixth in total defense, and 25th in rushing defense.
Restivo directed the SCSU defense led by Pittsburgh Steelers 2016 third-round draft pick Javon Hargrave, who finished third in the FCS in sacks (13.5) and fifth in tackles for loss (22) during his senior year. Hargrave was twice named MEAC Defensive Player of the Year and earned multiple postseason All-America honors before debuting in the NFL, starting 13 games for the Steelers in 2017.
Earlier in his career, Restivo spent four seasons (2010-13) at the University of Louisville under head coach Charlie Strong. His first two years were as a defensive quality control coach, focusing on linebackers and defensive line, before being promoted to secondary coach in 2012.
Restivo’s experience at Florida included working as a defensive quality control assistant in 2008 and 2009, culminating with the Gators’ 2009 BCS National Championship. When Strong became Louisville’s head coach, he brought Restivo to serve in the same role, continuing their professional partnership.
Restivo’s postseason experience includes five bowl games and the 2009 national title game: 2010 and 2013 Sugar Bowls, 2010 Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl, 2011 Belk Bowl, and 2013 Russell Athletic Bowl.
A Toledo, Ohio native, Restivo graduated from Georgetown College (Ky.) with a degree in exercise science in 2006. He played linebacker for the Tigers.
He has worked in real estate since 2019.
THE RESTIVO FILE
Hometown: Toledo, Ohio
Education
Bachelor of Arts, Exercise Science, Georgetown College (Ky.), 2006
Coaching Career
Senior Football Analyst, Central Michigan University, 2026-current
Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers, University of Massachusetts, 2020-21
Co-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers, University of Massachusetts, 2019
Safeties Coach, University of South Florida, 2018
Defensive Coordinator, South Carolina State University, 2017
Defensive Coordinator, McNeese State University, 2016
Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs Coach, South Carolina State University, 2014-15
Defensive Backs Coach, University of Louisville, 2012-13
Defensive Quality Control Coach, University of Louisville, 2010-11
Defensive Quality Control Coach, University of Florida, 2008-09
Graduate Assistant, Marshall University, 2007
Restivo joins Defensive Coordinator Sean Cronin’s staff in Mount Pleasant, bringing 14 years of NCAA Division I experience, including seven as a defensive coordinator at Massachusetts (2019-21), South Carolina State (2014-15, 2017), and McNeese State (2016). He previously worked with Cronin at both Florida and South Florida under coach Charlie Strong. Cronin and Restivo both graduated from Georgetown College (Ky.).
Building on his prior experience, Restivo spent three years at UMass as the Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach (2019-21). He became the team’s sole defensive coordinator after the 2019 season, and maintained his linebackers coach role in 2020 and 2021.
In 2019, three of UMass’ top four tacklers emerged from Restivo's linebackers: Cole McCubrey led the squad with a career-best 84 tackles, while Mike Ruane (66 tackles) and Jarvis Miller (60 tackles) ranked second and fourth, respectively. After the season, cornerback Isaiah Rodgers became the 30th Minuteman drafted, selected by the Indianapolis Colts in sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draf.
Before UMass, Restivo spent 2018 at South Florida as safeties coach, helping USF field a disruptive defense with2 takeaways (11 interceptions, 11 fumble recoveries) and 42 pass breakups.
In 2017, Restivo’s leadership enabled South Carolina State to hold opponents to 18.8 points and 279.9 yards per game, while allowing the second-fewest opponent first downs (151) nationally. With future second-round NFL draft pick Darious Leonard anchoring the defense, the Bulldogs ranked in the nation’s top 25 in various defensive categories, including first downs defense, team passing efficiency defense (7th), rushing defense (8th), total defense (8th), red zone defense (19th), scoring defense (19th), and third down conversion percentage (22nd). Leonard earned MEAC Defensive Player of the Year after ranking fourth nationally in tackles per game (11.3).
In 2015, Restivo’s Bulldogs defense ranked No. 1 in the nation in sacks, tackles for loss, pass efficiency defense, and third-down defense. The Bulldogs also ranked third nationally in passing defense, fourth in scoring defense, sixth in total defense, and 25th in rushing defense.
Restivo directed the SCSU defense led by Pittsburgh Steelers 2016 third-round draft pick Javon Hargrave, who finished third in the FCS in sacks (13.5) and fifth in tackles for loss (22) during his senior year. Hargrave was twice named MEAC Defensive Player of the Year and earned multiple postseason All-America honors before debuting in the NFL, starting 13 games for the Steelers in 2017.
Earlier in his career, Restivo spent four seasons (2010-13) at the University of Louisville under head coach Charlie Strong. His first two years were as a defensive quality control coach, focusing on linebackers and defensive line, before being promoted to secondary coach in 2012.
Restivo’s experience at Florida included working as a defensive quality control assistant in 2008 and 2009, culminating with the Gators’ 2009 BCS National Championship. When Strong became Louisville’s head coach, he brought Restivo to serve in the same role, continuing their professional partnership.
Restivo’s postseason experience includes five bowl games and the 2009 national title game: 2010 and 2013 Sugar Bowls, 2010 Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl, 2011 Belk Bowl, and 2013 Russell Athletic Bowl.
A Toledo, Ohio native, Restivo graduated from Georgetown College (Ky.) with a degree in exercise science in 2006. He played linebacker for the Tigers.
He has worked in real estate since 2019.
THE RESTIVO FILE
Hometown: Toledo, Ohio
Education
Bachelor of Arts, Exercise Science, Georgetown College (Ky.), 2006
Coaching Career
Senior Football Analyst, Central Michigan University, 2026-current
Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers, University of Massachusetts, 2020-21
Co-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers, University of Massachusetts, 2019
Safeties Coach, University of South Florida, 2018
Defensive Coordinator, South Carolina State University, 2017
Defensive Coordinator, McNeese State University, 2016
Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs Coach, South Carolina State University, 2014-15
Defensive Backs Coach, University of Louisville, 2012-13
Defensive Quality Control Coach, University of Louisville, 2010-11
Defensive Quality Control Coach, University of Florida, 2008-09
Graduate Assistant, Marshall University, 2007
Friday, May 22
Friday, May 22
Monday, May 18
Tuesday, May 12
