Ventrone enters his third season with the Colts as the team's special teams coordinator. He came to Indianapolis after serving as the assistant special teams coach with the New England Patriots for three seasons (2015-17). Ventrone has 15 years of NFL experience as a player (2005-2014) and coach (2015-19). He won Super Bowl LI with the Patriots following the 2016 season.
In 2019, Indianapolis led the NFL and set a single-season franchise record for punt return average (17.4). The Colts also finished eighth in the league in punt return average (5.9) allowed. In Week 16 vs. Carolina (12/22), running back Nyheim Hines finished with three punt returns for 195 yards (65.0 avg.) and two touchdowns en route to being named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for the first time in his career. The two punt return touchdowns and 195 punt return yards set single-game franchise records. Hines became just the fifth player with two punt returns for touchdowns of 70 yards or longer in a single game in NFL history (84 and 71 yards). He led the NFL in punt return touchdowns (two) and ranked third in punt return yards (281) in 2019. Kicker Adam Vinatieri moved into second place all time for regular season games played (365) and in Week 8 vs. Denver (10/27) he improved his record as the oldest player in league history to convert two 50-plus yard field goals (55 and 51 yards) in the same game. He was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance against the Broncos.
In 2018, Ventrone was part of a Colts team that finished with a 10-6 regular season record, won in the AFC Wild Card Round and had an appearance in the AFC Divisional Round. Indianapolis became the third team in NFL history to start a season 1-5 and make the playoffs. Additionally, the Colts were the second team in NFL history to start a season 1-5 and win a playoff game.
Ventrone directed a special teams unit that was led by Vinatieri, punter Rigoberto Sanchez and long snapper Luke Rhodes. In 2018, Vinatieri became the NFL's all-time leader in points scored and field goals made. He also eclipsed 100 points for the 21st time in his career, which extended his NFL record. Sanchez finished third in the league (first in the AFC) in net punting average (42.7) and eighth in punting average (46.1). He also registered the fifth-most kickoff touchbacks (59) in the NFL. Additionally, the Colts ranked first in the league in punt return average allowed (4.4) and ninth in kickoff return average allowed (22.0). Indianapolis' special teams unit finished with a top-10 ranking in Rick Gosselin's annual report.
In 2017, Ventrone helped New England special teams ace Matthew Slater get selected to his seventh consecutive Pro Bowl (2011-17). Kicker Stephen Gostkowski converted 37-of-40 field goals and 45-of-47 PATs for 156 points. He finished the season ranked in the top five in the NFL in total points (second), field goals made (fourth) and field goal percentage (fifth). Gostkowski was one of only four kickers in the league to be perfect on field goal attempts from 50+ yards (4-of-4).
The Patriots boasted some of the best coverage units in the league in 2017. New England ranked third in the NFL in kickoff return average allowed (18.9) and fourth in punt return average allowed (4.6).
Under Ventrone's assistance in 2016, Slater was selected to his sixth consecutive Pro Bowl and earned First Team Associated Press All-Pro honors for the first time in his career. Defensive back Nate Ebner tied for the NFL-lead in special teams tackles (19) and forced one fumble.
In 2015, Gostkowski led the league in scoring (151 points) for the fourth straight season, was elected to the Pro Bowl and named Associated Press First Team All-Pro. Gostkowski ranked in the top five in the league in field goals made (33, tied-second), field goal percentage (91.7, tied-fifth) and PAT percentage (100.0, tied-first). Additionally, punter Ryan Allen set a single-season career-high with 31 punts inside the 20-yard line, which ranked tied for sixth in the NFL. Slater was selected to his fifth straight Pro Bowl as a special teamer and wide receiver Danny Amendola led the NFL with 12.0 yards per punt return.
Prior to coaching, Ventrone spent 10 years in the NFL as a player with the San Francisco 49ers (2013-14), Cleveland Browns (2009-2012), New England Patriots (2005-08) and New York Jets (2007). He played in 97 career games and tallied 13 tackles (12 solo), one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. Ventrone was a standout on special teams, where he compiled 57 special teams stops. He was named a Pro Bowl alternate in 2011.
Collegiately, Ventrone played in 35 games at Villanova and totaled 251 tackles (189 solo), 19.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, five forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and 11 passes defensed. He earned First Team All-Atlantic 10 recognition his junior year. Ventrone was a three-time Atlantic 10 All-Academic Team honoree (2002, 2003 and 2004). His senior year was cut short in 2004 after suffering a season-ending leg injury early in the season. As a junior, Ventrone started all 11 games and tallied 93 tackles (68 solo), 7.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and four passes defensed. In 2002, he finished second on the team with 102 tackles (83 solo) to go along with 10.0 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and five passes defensed. As a freshman in 2001, Ventrone registered 25 tackles (14 solo), one interception, one forced fumble and one pass defensed.
Ray "Bubba" Ventrone was born on Oct. 21, 1982, in Pittsburgh, Pa. He attended Chartiers Valley High School in Bridgeville, Pa., where he was a three-time all-conference performer and also set three high school records in track and field: long jump (22'6"), triple jump (45'6") and 100M (10.8). Bubba's younger brother, Ross, also played in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Patriots. His sister, Dana, ran track at the University at Buffalo (long jump and 100m).
Bubba and his wife, Katie, have two daughters, Ava and Ella, and a son, Major. They reside in Zionsville, Ind.
Coaching Career
2015-2017 New England Patriots Assistant Special Teams
2018-2020 Indianapolis Colts Special Teams Coordinator
