Brad “Couz” Cousino Bio
Raised in an unstable, abusive family to playing in the NFL, Brad Cousino’s life story** is one of triumph against overwhelming odds.
Brad…
was born to unmarried teenage parents (15 yrs old) where he was physically, verbally and emotionally abused almost daily.
desperate to attend college, but having no money, wrote letters to football coaches begging for a football scholarship. No one school was interested so he cleaned sewers for $4.50/hr to pay for 1st quarter tuition at Miami University.
tried out for the football team as a non-scholarship walk-on (iconic movie “RUDY”)
became an All-American and two-time Defensive MVP of the Mid-American Conference
was not drafted; but played in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals, N Y Giants and the then 2x reigning Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers (teammates with 13 future hall of fame players)
after retiring from the NFL, Cousino either owned, developed, syndicated, and/or managed a portfolio of investment grade commercial real estate properties valued more than $250,000,000.
despite his troubled childhood, he persevered by having the grit, tenacity and the humility to be transformed into a better version of himself, and as proof – has been married for 48+ years, and is a proud Dad to four wonderful adult children & Papa to 11 grandchildren
As a key-note speaker, facilitator, coach and business leader, Cousino’s authentic delivery and content inspires people to become better versions of themselves both on the job and in their personal lives.
Brad specializes in professional mastery, team building, and how to find, develop & keep great talent for small to mid-sized companies, trade groups, associations, faith-based communities, and not-for-profit groups.
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From cleaning sewers for college tuition to playing in the NFL, Brad Cousino’s life story* is one of rejection, struggle and ultimately triumph against overwhelming odds.
Brad*…
• was born to unmarried teenage parents (15 & 16) and raised in a dysfunctional, alcoholic home where physical and verbal abuse was the norm.
• cleaned sewers for $4.50 an hour to pay for college (Miami University, Oxford, OH).
• tried out for the football team as a non-scholarship "walk-on", (e.g., iconic movie Rudy)
• not only earned a full scholarship but became an All-American and two-time Defensive MVP of the M.A.C. conference.
• did not get drafted by the NFL (due to being too small) but ultimately played under two legendary Hall of Fame coaches—Paul Brown of the Cincinnati Bengals and Chuck Noll of the 4x Superbowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers.
Professionally Brad has earned success in several businesses, but he learned his most important “life” lessons as he endured the challenging times of “crashing & burning”. As such, Brad is the "real deal" and has life-time EXPERIENCES that matter most in business and critically important in living in today’s world.
As a keynote speaker, facilitator, published author, and business pro, Brad’s authentic delivery and content inspire people to become better versions of themselves both on the job and in their personal lives. He has the passion and hands-on expertise to make a difference in small to mid-sized companies, institutions, & faith-based organizations. He specializes in professional mastery, team building, and how to find, mentor, and keep great talent.
He acknowledges what is most important in life and believes strongly in these 6 priorities: 1] LOVE GOD 2] LOVE YOUR FAMILY 3] LOVE PEOPLE 4] ALWAYS GIVE YOUR VERY BEST 5] BE A DIFFERENCE MAKER, 6] FINISH STRONG (leave an empowering life legacy and purpose that resonates for generations) Brad is a passionate, results-driven professional who inspires others to do the right things for the right reasons.
Brad has been married to Tami for 48+ years, proud to be dad to 4 adult kids and "Papa" to eleven grandchildren
Desperate to attend college, Brad Cousino cleaned out putrid sewers to pay tuition. Four years later, he was playing in the NFL!
Brad **…
cleaned out storm-sewers for $4.50/hour to pay tuition at Miami University.
tried out for the football team as a non-scholarship walk-on (e.g., iconic movie Rudy)
became a consensus All-American and two-time Defensive MVP of the Mid-American Conference.
was not drafted, but did play in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals, New York Giants, and the Pittsburgh Steelers (teammates with 13 future hall of fame players)
either owned, developed, and/or managed a portfolio of commercial / residential real estate valued more than $250,000,000 ****.
Cousino became a passionate entrepreneur, experienced business leader and key-note speaker. His authentic delivery and content inspire people to become better versions of themselves both on the job and in their personal lives. Cousino has extensive life experiences in team building, professional mastery, and how to find, develop & keep great talent specifically targeted for small to mid-sized companies, trade associations, faith-based communities, and not-for-profit groups.
** is a published author of his memoir: Unwanted, Unworthy, UNSHACKLED
*** Personal: married to Tami for 48+ years, is a proud Dad to four wonderful adult kids & “Papa” to 11 superstar grandchildren
**** Professional: Brad earned his CPM designation and headed up numerous commercial real estate management divisions
Brad Cousino Career Bio
Introduction:
Brad G. Cousino (born April 5, 1953) has an inspirational life story. He was born into a destructive and dysfunctional home environment, where he was physically, verbally, and emotionally abused practically every day.
Biography:
Brad knew that his only chance to escape from his traumatic upbringing was to go to college, but there was no money. He hoped to earn a football scholarship but was turned down from over 2 dozen colleges. He did not quit, instead he got a job cleaning out underground storm-sewers at $4.50/hour to save enough to pay for his 1st quarter of college tuition fees at Miami University, (Oxford, OH). Then he tried out as a non-scholarship walk-on for the Miami Univ. football team. (e.g., iconic movie “RUDY”).
By the time classes started, he earned a partial football scholarship which was upgraded to a 100% full scholarship in his first year. Cousino earned a starting spot-on as the middle guard on Miami’s defensive line unit as a sophomore and was recognized as the smallest defensive linemen (height 5’11 & weight 195 lbs) in Division 1 football. Brad went on to become one of the greatest players of all time at Miami making the All-Century team as well as being THE dominate defensive player in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). He became the then only two-time defensive ‘Most Valued Player’ of the MAC in (1973 & 1974) and was selected to virtually all the All-American teams.
Even with his impressive football performance, he was not drafted in the NFL because the scouts said he was too small but signed as a free agent ($500 signing bonus) with the Cincinnati Bengals (1975). He played with the NY Giants (1976) and Superbowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers (1977) and one year with the Toronto Argonauts (1978) of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Upon retiring from the NFL in 1979, he went on to own a 69-unit apartment complex at age 26, developed numerous Self Storage facilities in upstate New York, and became a Certified Property Manager (CPM) and managed a portfolio of investment-grade commercial and residential real estate valued at over $250,000,000.
During the following years, he was successful as an entrepreneur in different businesses. He became the founder of Mini Management Group (Self Storage Properties), Owner & manager of Cousino Rental Properties (apartment units) called Colonial Estates, Managing Partner for the Advisory Group, Regional VP for CNL Investment Co., Principal Owner for NextGen Investments among others. However, he learned his most important life lessons by enduring challenging times when he ‘crashed & burned’ in life.
His life serves as an inspirational example to learn from all those who have lived through failures, setbacks and personal trauma suffered through a miserable childhood of physical & verbal traumatic abuse. Despite all of that, he proved everyone wrong. He now inspires people to become better versions of themselves both in their personal and professional lives. He now is a keynote speaker, business coach & mentor, advisor / consultant, business leader and soon-to-be published author of his compelling memoir: Unwanted, Unworthy, UNSHACKLED.
Personal: He is married to Tami (48+ years) and is a proud ‘DAD’ to 4 adult children and ‘PAPA’ to 11 superstar grandchildren. By the grace of God, Brad & Tami broke the curse of 3 generations of alcohol and family abuse!
Quotes about Brad Cousino from College & Pro Coaches
“Cousino’s performance was the greatest individual effort I’ve ever seen. I don’t know how he does it.”
Paul Dietzel, Head Coach
Univ of South Carolina Gamecocks
After Miami wins over South Carolina in 1972 & 1973
“There is something more than technique. There is something inside Cousino that most impresses me… his competitiveness and his great courage. I’ve never seen a more competitive football player. The difference in the whole game was that little kid (Cousino) at middle guard. He’s a great football player!”
Fran Curci, Head Coach
University of Kentucky Wildcats
After Miami’s win over Kentucky in 1974
“Cousino is a ‘PLAYYYER’… He’s a hitter, a real football player… His special team’s work has been outstanding. I remember one game when Cousino made four tackles on the kickoff team, and one was crucial. In fairness to this young man, he should have been drafted; he is one of those players with defy the computers and statistics. He is a great player.”
Paul Brown, Bengal Founder & Head Coach
Cincinnati Bengals 1968 - 1975
Inducted into NFL Hall of Fame
“Cousino attended a special physical conditioning project (using Nautilus equipment) for over 10+ weeks at West Point Military Academy which was instrumental in upping his playing weight by 25 lbs.” (from 195 to 220 lbs) Cousino is one of the smallest men on the squad, but (pound for pound) he’s the strongest .
Coach Kim Wood, Strength Coach
Cincinnati Bengals 1975