Pat Perles Hometown: Uper St. Clair, Pa. Position: Tight Ends Coach Experience: 3rd year

Pat Perles enters his third year as tight ends coach at Michigan State.

In his first two seasons, Perles coached Chris Baker, who in 2001 became Michigan State’s career record-holder for receptions by a tight end with 133. Baker, a second-team All-America selection by the Football News as a senior, was chosen in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft by the New York Jets (No. 88 overall).

The 38-year-old Perles came to Michigan State following six years as an assistant coach in the Canadian Football League.

He worked for two seasons as offensive line coach for CFL’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats (1997-99). He helped Hamilton to a combined record of 28-13-1 (.679), including back-to-back appearances in the Grey Cup. In 1999, the Tiger-Cats produced an 11-7 regular-season record before reeling off three-straight victories, including a 32-21 triumph over Calgary in the Grey Cup.

During his tenure in Hamilton, Perles developed an offensive line that allowed the fewest sacks in the CFL each of the last two seasons. In 1999, the Tiger-Cats permitted only seven sacks in 18 regular-season games — the lowest total in league history. The offensive line provided near perfect pass protection for quarterback Danny McManus, who was not sacked once over the last 11 games of the season. Three of his linemen earned All-Eastern All-Star Team honors in ’99. In 1998, the team surrendered only 15 sacks in 18 regular-season games — the second-lowest figure in CFL history.

Perles previously spent one year as offensive line coach with the CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1997) and three seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders (1994-96).

In 1993, he served as a graduate assistant under his father George Perles at Michigan State, working primarily with the defensive secondary.

Perles worked one season as a defensive assistant coach under Chuck Knox with the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams (1992). Prior to his first stint in the pro ranks, he coached the defensive line at the University of Toledo for three years from 1989-91, including the 1990 season when the Rockets claimed a share of the Mid-American Conference crown.

He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Michigan State in the spring of 1988.

An all-state nose guard at Upper St. Clair (Pa.) High School, he started his playing career at Kent State before transferring to Michigan State. He was on the Spartans’ football roster from 1983-85 as a walk-on outside linebacker. He earned his bachelor’s of science degree in marketing and advertising from Michigan State in 1987.

Married to the former Karen Pauls of St. Catharines, Ont., Perles and his wife have a daughter Hannah (3 1/2) and a son Joseph George (2).

THE PERLES FILE
YEARS AT MICHIGAN STATE: Third. Joined staff on March 1, 2000, from Western Michigan.

PREVIOUS COACHING EXPERIENCE: College — Graduate assistant at Michigan State (1988); defensive line coach at Toledo (1989-91); graduate assistant at Michigan State (1993). NFL — Defensive assistant for Los Angeles Rams (1992). CFL — Offensive line coach for Saskatchewan Roughriders (1994-96); offensive line coach for Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1997); offensive line coach for Hamilton Tiger-Cats (1997-99).

PLAYING EXPERIENCE: College — Linebacker at Kent State (1981). Outside linebacker at Michigan State (1983-85).

EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree in marketing and advertising from Michigan State in 1987.

BOWL/POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE: Player — 1984 Cherry, 1985 Hall of Fame. Coach — 1993 Liberty, 1998 CFL Grey Cup, 1999 CFL Grey Cup, 2001 Silicon Valley Football Classic.