Dave Borgonzi is in his first season with the Colts as linebackers coach. He has 12 years of coaching experience, including seven seasons in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2014-17) and Dallas Cowboys (2011-13).
With the Buccaneers, Borgonzi served as defensive quality control coach for four seasons.
In 2017, linebacker Lavonte David led the team with 101 tackles (76 solo) and added 8.0 tackles for loss, one pass defensed, five forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries. David established single-season career highs in forced fumbles and fumble recoveries and led all NFL linebackers in both categories. Fellow linebacker Kwon Alexander finished second on the team with 97 tackles (70 solo) and tallied 7.0 tackles for loss, three interceptions, four passes defensed and one forced fumble. Alexander tied for the most interceptions in the NFL among linebackers.
Borgonzi helped with a 2016 Buccaneers defense that forced 29 takeaways, the third-highest mark in the league, including 17 interceptions, tied for the fourth-most in the NFL. The Buccaneers also held opponents to a league-low 34.4 third down percent conversion rate. David was voted as a Pro Bowl alternate while recording 17.0 tackles for loss, tied for the league lead. Alexander led the team in tackles with 145, the fourth-most in the NFL, including a league-best 108 solo tackles.
In 2015, Borgonzi helped a defense that ranked in the top 10 in yards allowed (340.4), while allowing the second-lowest rushing average in the NFL (3.45 avg.). David (147 tackles) and Alexander (93 tackles) finished as the top two tacklers on the team. Alexander had the most tackles by any rookie in 2015 and David ranked third in the NFL among all players. David also had three interceptions, which led the Buccaneers and tied for the third-most among NFL linebackers.
The 2014 Tampa Bay defense saw improvements throughout the season, ranking 14th in points allowed per game and net yards allowed per game during the final 10 weeks of the season, after ranking 32nd in each category over the first six weeks, prior to the Buccaneers’ Week 7 Bye.
Prior to joining the Buccaneers, Borgonzi served three seasons as a coaching assistant for the Dallas Cowboys, working on the defensive side of the ball for his first two years (2011-12) – working with the secondary – before moving to offense in 2013 and helping coach the offensive line. His primary duties included assisting in weekly breakdowns and scouting reports of each opponent, while also working with the scout team during daily practices. In 2013, Borgonzi assisted a Cowboys offense that finished fifth in the NFL in total points scored.
Before coaching in the NFL, Borgonzi spent five years coaching at the collegiate level at Harvard (2008-2010) and Syracuse (2006-07).
While at Harvard, Borgonzi served as the assistant defensive secondary coach and helped with the school’s recruiting. In 2010, Harvard ranked 16th nationally in total defense. In 2009, the Crimson ranked sixth nationally in pass efficiency defense while three players were named All-Ivy League and cornerback Matthew Hanson earned Rookie of the Year honors.
Borgonzi spent two years at Syracuse as a graduate assistant working with the secondary and defensive line. At Syracuse, Borgonzi also assisted the team with special teams and recruiting. Borgonzi earned his master’s degree in education while working for the Orange.
Borgonzi played linebacker at Amherst College (2001-2004) in Amherst, Mass., where he was a three-year starter and named team captain his senior year. He graduated with a degree in law, jurisprudence and social thought. Borgonzi is a native of Everett, Mass., and is married to Alyssa. The couple have a daughter, Gianna, and a son, James.
2006-2007 Syracuse Graduate Assistant
2008-2010 Harvard Assistant Secondary
2011-2013 Dallas Cowboys Offensive/Defensive Assistant
2014-2017 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defensive Quality Control
2018 Indianapolis Colts Linebackers
