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Craig Kuligowski is in his third season and second stint overall on the Rocket staff. He serves as Toledo’s assistant head coach, co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach.
Kuligowski has been a part of coaching staffs of championship teams in the Mid-American Conference, the Big-12 and the SEC. Prior to rejoining the staff at his alma mater in 2020, Kuligowski coached at Missouri, Miami (Fla.) and Alabama, where he coached six first-round NFL draft picks and three unanimous All-Americans.
In 2021, Kuligowski played a pivotal role in guiding Toledo’s defense to No.1 ranking in the Mid-American Conference in scoring defense (21.8) and defensive pass efficiency (118.8). The Rockets also ranked second in the MAC in total defense (349.7) and third in passing defense (198.2). Outside linebacker Jamal Hines earned first-team All-MAC honors under Kuligowski’s tutelage.
Kuligowski helped guide a rejuvenated Rocket defense toward its goal of becoming a dominant force in the Mid-American Conference in the abbreviated 2020 season. Toledo ranked second in the MAC in total defense (362.2) and rushing defense (129.2), and led the league in opponent third-down conversions (27.4%). In the year before Kuligowski’s arrival, Toledo ranked dead last in the league in total defense (475.7).
A former offensive lineman, Kuligowski was a two-time First-Team All-MAC selection during his playing career at Toledo (1987-90). From 1992-2000, he served as an assistant coach under former head coach Gary Pinkel. Kuligowski was Toledo’s tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator from 1992-93, served as tight ends and offensive line coach from 1994-95, and was the Rockets’ defensive line coach from 1996-2000. The Rockets won a MAC title in 1995 and MAC West Division crowns in 1997 and 1998. In 2022, Kuligowski was elected into the University of Toledo’s Varsity T Hall of Fame.
Kuligowski’s most recent coaching stop prior to returning to his alma mater was as the associate head coach and defensive line coach at Alabama under Nick Saban in 2018. Under Kuligowski’s tutelage, the Crimson Tide ranked in the Top 20 nationally in sacks (3.00/game), scoring defense (18.1 points/game) and total defense (319.5 yards/game). He helped Alabama to a 14-1 record and a berth in the College Football Playoff Championship Game. All three of his defensive lineman were voted All-SEC. Quinnen Williams was named a unanimous first-team All-American. made first-team All-SEC, and was awarded the Outland Trophy as the nation’s best interior lineman.
Prior to his stint at Alabama, Kuligowski spent two seasons at Miami (Fla.) from 2016-17. While serving as assistant head coach and defensive line coach at Miami, Kuligowski helped the Hurricanes to a banner year in 2017. Miami ranked among the nation’s leaders in several defensive categories, including tops in the nation in team sacks (3.38/game), third nationally in tackles for loss (8.5) and turnovers gained (31), eighth nationally in fumbles recovered (14) and ninth in opponent yards per play (4.77). The Hurricanes were 19-7 in Kuligowski’s two seasons there, winning the ACC Coastal Division title in 2017.
Kuligowski followed former Toledo head coach Gary Pinkel to Missouri, serving as the defensive line coach with the Tigers from 2001-15. He coached Michael Sam, who was voted unanimous first team All- America and SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2013. He also coached Shane Ray, who was a unanimous first-team All-America selection as well as SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2014. Kuligowski coached nine first-team all-conference defensive linemen during his tenure with the Tigers and produced one of the best defensive lines in the country in 2013. That season, Missouri led the SEC with a school-record 44 sacks and allowed a conference-low 300.8 yards per game in conference matchups. Missouri won three Big 12 North Division crowns and two SEC East titles during his tenure.
Kuligowski earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Toledo in 1991. He and his wife Mary have three children, Peyton, Madeline and Max.
Craig Kuligowski’s Coaching Experience
2022 Toledo – Asst. Head Coach/Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line
2020-21 Toledo – Asst. Head Coach/Co-Defensive Coordinator/OLB
2018 Alabama – Associate Head Coach/Defensive Line
2016-17 Miami (Fla.) – Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Line
2001-15 Missouri – Defensive Line
1996-00 Toledo – Defensive Line
1994-95 Toledo – Tight Ends/Offensive Line
1992-93 Toledo – Tight Ends/Recruiting Coordinator
NOTABLE PLAYERS COACHED BY CRAIG KULIGOWSKI
OLB JAMAL HINES, TOLEDO (2020-21) - 2020 2ND-TEAM ALL-MAC, 2021 FIRST-TEAM ALL-MAC
DT RAEKWON DAVIS, ALABAMA (2018) - 2020 2ND ROUND DRAFT PICK, 2ND-TEAM ALL SEC
DT QUINNEN WILLIAMS, ALABAMA (2018) - 2019 1ST ROUND DRAFT PICK, CONSENSUS 1ST TEAM ALL-AMERICAN, OUTLAND TROPHY WINNER, 1ST-TEAM ALL SEC
DT ISAIAH BUGGS, ALABAMA (2018) - 2019 5TH ROUND DRAFT PICK, 2ND-TEAM ALL-SEC
DE JOE JACKSON, MIAMI (2016-17) - 2019 5th ROUND DRAFT PICK
DE CHAD THOMAS, MIAMI (2016-17) - 2018 3RD ROUND DRAFT PICK, 2ND-TEAM ALL ACC
DT RJ MCINTOSH, MIAMI (2016-17) - 2018 5TH ROUND DRAFT PICK, 2ND-TEAM ALL ACC
DT KENDRICK NORTON, MIAMI (2016-17) - 2ND TEAM ALL-ACC
DE CHARLES HARRIS, MISSOURI (2014-15) - 2017 1ST ROUND DRAFT PICK, 2ND-TEAM ALL SEC
DT TERRY BECKNER, MISSOURI (2015) - FRESHMAN ALL-AMERICAN
DE SHANE RAY, MISSOURI (2012-14) 2015 1ST ROUND DRAFT PICK, CONSENSUS ALL AMERICAN, 2014 SEC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR, BROKE SCHOOL RECORD FOR SACKS WITH 14.5 IN 2014
DE MARKUS GOLDEN, MISSOURI (2012-14) - 2015 2ND ROUND DRAFT PICK, 2ND-TEAM ALL SEC
DE KONY EALY, MISSOURI (2011-13) - 2014 2ND ROUND DRAFT PICK, 1ST-TEAM ALL SEC
DE MICHAEL SAM, MISSOURI (2010-13) - CONSENSUS ALL AMERICAN, 2014 7TH ROUND DRAFT PICK, 2013 SEC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
DT SHELDON RICHARDSON, MISSOURI (2011-12) - 2013 1ST ROUND DRAFT PICK, 1ST-TEAM ALL SEC
DE ALDON SMITH, MISSOURI (2009-10) - 2009 1ST ROUND DRAFT PICK, 1ST-TEAM ALL BIG12, BROKE SINGLE SEASON SACK RECORD WITH 11.5 IN 2010
DT ZIGGY HOOD, MISSOURI (2005-08) - 2008 1ST ROUND DRAFT PICK, 1ST-TEAM ALL BIG12
DE BRIAN SMITH, MISSOURI (2005-06) - 2007 4TH ROUND DRAFT PICK, FINISHED CAREER AS ALL TIME SACK LEADER IN MIZZOU HISTORY
DE DEJUAN GOULDE, TOLEDO (1998-2000) - 3RD-TEAM ALL AMERICAN, THREE-TIME ALL MAC SELECTION
BOWLS AND PLAYOFF GAMES COACHED/CHAMPIONSHIPS
2021 BAHAMAS BOWL
2019 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
2018 ORANGE BOWL CHAMPIONS
2018 SEC CHAMPIONS
2017 ORANGE BOWL
2017 ACC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
2016 RUSSELL ATHLETIC BOWL
2014 CITRUS BOWL CHAMPIONS
2014 SEC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
2013 COTTON BOWL CHAMPIONS
2013 SEC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
2011 INDEPENDENCE BOWL CHAMPIONS
2010 INSIGHT BOWL
2009 TEXAS BOWL
2008 ALAMO BOWL CHAMPIONS
2007 COTTON BOWL CHAMPIONS
2007 BIG12 CHAMPIONSHIP
2006 SUN BOWL
2005 INDEPENDENCE BOWL CHAMPIONS
2003 INDEPENDENCE BOWL
1998 MAC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
1997 MAC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
1995 MAC CHAMPIONS
1995 LAS VEGAS BOWL CHAMPIONS
