In eight games as Toledo’s defensive coordinator, Vince Kehres has not only brought stability to a formerly overmatched unit, he’s converted the defense into a team strength, never more evident than when UT’s front seven overpowered Notre Dame throughout last week’s upset bid.
However, there are multiple signatures on the defensive blueprint. Credit and blame usually lie with the person making the calls. Inside Toledo’s meeting room, opinions fly from each chair. And one voice has been essential in the Rockets’ climb from the depths of FBS to one of the top defenses in the Mid-American Conference: Craig Kuligowski.
“When Vince and ‘Kool’ came in here, their challenge was to create a belief system on defense that we could go win a championship by playing great defense,” head coach Jason Candle said. “It wasn’t, ‘Hey, you need to play a three-man front,’ or, ‘Hey, you need to play a four-man front.’ That was never the discussion. It was, get 11 players out there that believe they can go play really hard and be confident in the scheme, and let them play fast and attack.
“‘Kool’ has been a major contributor. The thing that’s cool is he’s one of us; he’s a Rocket. This program means an awful lot to him. The success is important. There’s a lot of pride.”
The 52-year-old Kuligowski is in his second go-round at Toledo — or third, if you include his standout playing career. The two-time first team All-MAC offensive lineman served as an assistant under Gary Pinkel from 1992 to 2000, first as tight ends and offensive line coach before moving to defense.
For all 15 years of Pinkel’s tenure at Missouri, Kuligowski was a trusted lieutenant and defensive line coach, molding five first-round draft picks, several All-Americans, two SEC defensive players of the year, and the school’s all-time sack leader. It’s no surprise that Kuligowski was named FootballScoop’s defensive line coach of the year in 2014.
Brief stints at Alabama and Miami (Fla.) produced similar accolades for his players. Now, Kuligowski is attempting to bring the same results, vigor, and recognition to Toledo.
“I love coaching,” said Kuligowski, whose official title is assistant head coach/co-defensive coordinator/outside linebackers coach. “When I started out here at Toledo, I think my first salary was $14,000. I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t love it. I still get excited about coaching players and making them better. I have a good time with the players. I can say some funny stuff, and they like that. The kids know that I’m one of them.”
In the first season of the Kehres-Kuligowski partnership, UT improved from 123rd (475.7 yards per game) to 36th (362.2 yards) in total defense, 121st (218.4 yards) to 25th (129.2 yards) in rushing defense, 106th (257.3 yards) to 64th (233.0 yards) in passing defense, and 101st (32.2 points) to 36th (24.3 points) in scoring defense.
Through two games in 2021 — albeit a minute sample size — the Rockets rank between 58th and 80th in national statistics. And the newfound demeanor isn’t limited to the field.
“I felt like in previous years we had a winning mindset, but this now is an elite mindset,” said linebacker Terrance Taylor, who had two sacks against the Irish. “We go out to practice not to practice, but to get better. We don’t go out to games to compete, but to win.”
A change in the team’s belief structure and the coaches’ messaging was almost instant. Toledo wanted to be multiple on defense, adjust when needed, use players’ natural talent, and they demanded hard work, effort, toughness, and accountability.
“The first thing was expectations on what we expect out of a Toledo defense, and I don’t think that the expectations were high, not only by the players but from people in general,” Kuligowski said. “When I was here [in the 1990s and 2000s], we were one of the best in the country. That was my expectation, and I didn’t see any reason why we couldn’t be at that level. I think the kids were excited for a little bit of a change.”
The process wasn’t easy because of the coronavirus pandemic and the installation bit-by-bit of new plays and terminology. Kuligowski is a genuine football nerd, constantly craving more, researching and studying to evolve with the times.
Kuligowski’s allegiance to his alma mater allows him to speak with reverence to his players. They know his level of commitment and caring. The message isn’t just as a football coach, it’s as someone who wore the same uniform.
“I see player leadership, kids demanding more out of each other, I see hustle,” Kuligowski said. “And I don’t hear a lot of excuses.”
Coaches meetings have a similar vibe, with bantering eventually resulting in consensus and a reasoned explanation. It’s a collaborative process that flows freely, which sparks entertaining discussion about all things defense. It’s not uncommon for Kuligowski to be at the center of the dialogue.
“I think he’s awesome,” said co-defensive coordinator/safeties coach/special teams coordinator Ross Watson. “One thing that works so well is we can argue very professionally, meaning that we can debate things and argue and not take it personal. That’s a big thing. We’ve all come from different places and sometimes you can get in the mode of, I don’t want to offend someone. There are no egos in that room. You can say what you think and bring your ideas to the table. One thing Vince has done so well is allow people to have those voices.
“Craig has a plethora of knowledge on all kinds of stuff. He doesn’t just know outside linebacker or defensive line. He’s throwing in coverages, pressures. He has knowledge on every position on the field. He’s an integral part of this whole thing.”
If you need a second (third or fourth) opinion, just ask a member of the defense about Kuligowski the man. A smile will almost certainly break across their face.
“Coach ‘Kool’ and I have a great relationship,” Taylor said. “He understands the players and their talents. He’s taught me so many pass-rush moves and so many run-block moves.
“We love him. He’s funny. He always brings the juice.”
First Published September 15, 2021, 3:25 p.m.
