Letters and endorsements from former Miami University coaches.
June 21, 2022
Dear Brad;
Great job of telling your story of coming of age (as an 18- to 22-year-old). I vividly remember your Miami years as I was a part of them.
I felt your success lay in being so much quicker than the interior offensive lineman. I admired your toughness and strength.
My memories of you are some of the most pleasant of my coaching career.
I really enjoyed reading your story (Unshackled by SOZO) because I thought I knew how it was going to turnout. But I never suspected the inner turmoil that you were going through.
I wish that I could have been more aware of what you had to deal with.
You did a magnificent job of defeating the inner beast.
May God continue to bless you and your family.
Coach Ron Corradini was my freshmen head coach in 1971. In my Sophomore and Junior years he coached the defensive interior line. When Coach Mallory accepted the University of Colorado position in 1974, Coach Corradini joined the Colorado staff.
Coach Corradini was also Miami University's Head Wrestling Coach. During football off-seasons I spent hundreds of hours practicing with his wrestling team because I knew it would help me become a better football player.
He was a phenomenal football and wrestling coach who taught me how to become a difference maker on and off the field. More importantly, he was a tremendous role model who helped me become a better man.
July 2, 2022
To: Readers of Brad Cousino's memoir "Unshackled by SOZO"
From: Former Miami Head Coach Dick Crum
Re: Brad Cousino as a player during Miami's 1973 and 1974 undefeated seasons
Brad's story is one of pure determination and what that character trait can do for a person and for a team. He NEVER GAVE UP, no matter the odds.
The men who played at Miami University with Brad can attest to this fact.
His leadership, attitude and example were never more evident than Miami's 1974 football season.
Following Miami's undefeated 1973 season, much of the coaching staff moved to Colorado and several key defensive starters graduated. Brad was the returning All-MAC First Team middle guard and defensive MVP.
As a key returning defensive leader, Brad accepted the challenge of helping guide the 1974 defense and excelled once again.
He repeated as Mid-American Conference Defensive MVP and earned recognition on numerous All-American teams.
What meant the most to Brad, however, was being selected by his coaches and teammates as Miami's 1974 Most Valuable Player.
His success was built upon his determination to be a Difference-Maker and to keep the winning streak alive.
Miami's 1973 team finished undefeated at 11-0 and fielded the nation's number one ranked defense.
The team defeated Purdue, South Carolina, Cincinnati and Florida before winning the Tangerine Bowl.
Despite losing coaches and key players after the 1973 season, Miami continued its historic run in 1974 and finished ranked #10 nationally.
Many consider the 1974 Miami Redskins team to be the greatest team in Miami and Mid-American Conference history.
Coach Crum was a defensive genius who helped us finish with the nation's #1 defense in 1973 and #3 defense in 1974. He knew how to get the very best from every player.