Dec. 26, 2002

LOGAN, Utah - David Kotulski has been named defensive coordinator at Utah State University it was announced by Aggie head football coach Mick Dennehy on Thursday.

Kotulski is no stranger to the state of Utah as he served as an assistant coach at the University of Utah from 1978-89. He most recently has been the defensive coordinator at Bucknell University.

"Our staff was completely blown away by Coach Kotulski's enthusiasm, confidence and organizational skills," Dennehy said. "I feel to a man that every single one of us felt that Dave was the right guy in every single aspect of what this job entails. Most importantly I know that the kids will feel the same way."

Kotulski has been the defensive coordinator at Bucknell since 1995 and served as the team's acting head coach in 2002 due to head coach Tom Gadd taking a leave of absence to fight brain cancer. The Bison were 2-9 this past year.

"I am very excited about this opportunity," Kotulski said. "Coach Dennehy has all the right pieces together from the staff and players, to have an excellent program with a chance to win a championship and win a bowl game. Those are our aspirations in joining the Sun Belt Conference after the last couple of years as an independent."

Iine eight years as defensive coordinator at Bucknell, Kotulski's defenses were annually among the top two in the Patriot League and ranked nationally at the division I-AA level. Last season the Bison were first in the league in total defense, second in rush defense and second in pass defense, while ranking 11th nationally in rushing defense and 22nd in total defense.

In the last eight years, Bucknell allowed just 101 yards rushing, 189 yards passing and 290 total yards per game. In addition Kotulski's teams averaged 34 sacks, forced 26 turnovers per year and allowed just 16.9 points per game.

"I coached against Dave in the past and he gave me fits," said USU offensive coordinator Bob Cole. "Dave is as creative in attacking offenses as anyone I have ever been around and I am really looking forward to working with him."

Prior to Bucknell, Kotulski was the defensive coordinator at St. Mary's College in California from 1990-94. His last defensive unit there ranked third in the country allowing just 84 rushing yards per game.

He started his collegiate coaching career at Utah in 1978 and worked under three different head coaches. He was the defensive line coach until 1981 under Wayne Howard. He also worked for Chuck Stobart from 1982-84 coaching the defensive line and linebackers and worked for Jim Fassel coaching linebackers and defensive ends from 1985-89.

He compares his defensive style to the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants.

"Anybody coming to watch us, number one we are going to play very hard," Kotulski said. "We are going to do the fundamental things very well, tackling, defending the deep ball, and those things that you have to do to be successful."

"I feel that under Dave's guidance, our defense will play with an injection of attitude and confidence that we have lacked," Dennehy said. "He is from the old school in a lot of ways and we will be very sound and aggressive. We will play with pride and have fun at the same time. I really believe that we will be exciting on the defensive side of the ball once again."

Kotulski replaces Kraig Paulson, who had served as the defensive coordinator from 2000-2002. Paulson recently accepted a job as linebacker coach at Montana, his alma mater.

Kotulski graduated from New Mexico State, where he was a two-year letterwinner as a linebacker and center in 1972 and 1973. Prior to that he played at Morton Junior College in Cicero, Ill. He played football and baseball at Fenwick High School in Oak Park, Ill. Kotulski is married and has two children.