COACHING EXPERIENCE
• 2001-Present Defensive Line, Missouri
• 1996-00 Defensive Line, Toledo
• 1994-95 Tight Ends/Asst. Offensive Line, Toledo
• 1993-94 Tight Ends, Toledo
• 1992-93 Recruiting Coordinator, Toledo
Playing Experience: Toledo (1987-90)
Recruiting Area: Houston, Southern Texas
Kuligowski's All-Big 12 Performers •Keith Wright, DL - 2nd Team (2001, 2002) •Antwaun Bynum, DE - Hon. Men. (2001), 3rd Team (2002) •Atiyyah Ellison, DL - 3rd Team (2003), 1st Team (2004) •C.J. Mosley, DL - 2nd Team (2003), 1st Team (2004) •Brian Smith, DE - Hon. Men. (2003, 2004), 2nd Team (2005), Freshman All-American (2003) Craig Kuligowski is in his 15th season alongside Gary Pinkel, including his 10th season coaching the defensive line. Facing arguably the biggest rebuilding job at any position on the team in 2005, Kuligowski oversaw a defensive line that grew into a solid unit, despite losing three starters from 2004 to the NFL. Junior defensive end Brian Smith blossomed into an every-down player, and had a monster year, ranking among the best in the Big 12 Conference with 9 QB sacks, 17 tackles for loss and 12 QB hurries, to go along with his career-high total of 66 tackles. Smith earned 2nd-Team All-Big 12 accolades for his performance. Redshirt freshman end Stryker Sulak emerged as one of the top up-and-coming players on the line for Kuligowski, as he became the starter opposite Smith midway through the season, and ended the year as a 1st-Team Freshman All-Big 12 performer, according to The Sporting News. That duo was joined by sophomore tackle Lorenzo Williams, junior end Xzavie Jackson and newcomers in junior tackle Jamar Smith and true freshman Ziggy Hood, to form the nucleus of the line. In all, Kuligowski's troops combined to register 65 tackles for loss, 30.5 QB sacks, and 10 forced fumbles. Jackson and Jamar Smith also each scored TDs on fumble returns, against Iowa State, and Colorado. Kuligowski's line was a focal point for the Tiger defense in 2004, and a major reason for the overall improvement of the defense. Three of his pupils - tackles Atiyyah Ellison and C.J. Mosley, and end Brian Smith - earned various All-Big 12 honors for their play in 2004, with Ellison and Mosley pulling in 1st-Team distinction. Redshirt freshman Lorenzo Williams also earned 1st-Team Freshman All-Big 12 honors by The Sporting News. Two of Kuligowski's protégés were drafted as part of the 2005 NFL Draft, as tackles Atiyyah Ellison (3rd round) and C.J. Mosley (6th round) were picked by the Carolina Panthers and Minnesota Vikings, respectively. Later, defensive end Zach Ville signed a free agent deal with the Kansas City Chiefs. Kuligowski's line has steadily improved against the run in each year since he arrived in 2001. The 2004 Tiger outfit allowed 152.09 yards rushing per game, which ranked them 64th in the nation. In 2005, the numbers were virtually identical, with an average of 152.18 yards per game that ranked MU 63rd nationally. That followed a mark of 167.23 yards per game in 2003, which ranked them 72nd in NCAA statistics. That marked an improvement from a rank of 78th in 2002 (167.75 ypg) and 89th in 2001 (198.73). Four of Kuligowski's disciples earned 2003 post-season honors, including Smith, who was named a 1st-Team Freshman All-American by The Sporting News and Rivals.com, in addition to being named the team's co-freshman of the year, along with true freshman end Xzavie Jackson. Other line mates who earned honors included tackle C.J. Mosley (2nd-Team All-Big 12) and tackle Atiyyah Ellison (3rd-Team All-Big 12), who moved from end a year ago. Another standout, tackle Russ Bell, signed a free agent contract with the Kansas City Chiefs following the 2004 NFL Draft. Under Kuligowski's leadership, the Tiger defensive line proved to be the strength of MU's defense in 2002. Led by senior tackle Keith Wright and senior end Antwaun Bynum, the Tiger front four was a constant disruptive force for opposing teams. Wright led the Big 12 Conference, and ranked in the top-10 nationally, with 23 tackles for loss in 2002, while Bynum ranked among conference leaders in sacks, fumbles forced and tackles for loss. Bynum earned first team All-Big 12 honors in 2002, and was named an honorable mention All-American by CNNSI.com, while Wright was a first team All-Big 12 pick by various outlets. Wright's development led to him being a 6th-round selection by the Houston Texans in the 2003 NFL Draft. Kuligowski was credited with building one of the top defensive lines in the MAC during his tenure at Toledo. In 2000, the Rockets were ranked fifth in the country in rushing defense, allowing just 81.5 yards per game and 2.46 yards per carry. They were ranked third in the country in scoring defense, third in total defense and No. 1 in turnover margin. In 1997, Kuligowski coached first team All-MAC lineman Jason Richards, who signed with the NFL's Tennessee Titans. Kuligowski was a four-year standout at Toledo (1987-90) as an offensive tackle. He was named first team All-MAC two straight years and helped lead UT to the MAC title his senior year. He was an integral part of the 1990 offense that turned in totals of 135 rushing first downs, 2,474 rushing yards and 4,335 total yards, all top five marks in Toledo history. Kuligowski earned a bachelor of business administration degree from Toledo in 1991. He and his wife Mary have two daughters: Peyton, 12, and Madeline, 9 and son Max, who was born in March of 2005. Also in the spring of 2005, Kuligowski teamed with players Earl Goldsmith, DeQuincy Howard and Scott Wheatley to win the inaugural 3-on-3 basketball tournament held by the football program.
