David Kotulski, who worked with Vanderbilt Head Coach Derek Mason for the last two years as a Stanford defensive assistant, will serve as the Commodores[apos] defensive coordinator under Mason.
Kotulski mentored two highly productive inside linebackers during his two-year tenure with the Cardinal, Shayne Skov and A.J. Tarpley.
In 2012-13, Kotulski[apos]s interior linebackers helped produce one of the nation[apos]s top defense for a Stanford program that captured back-to-back Pac-12 crowns and made consecutive Rose Bowl appearances.
In 2013, the Cardinal defense was one of five nationally to allow opponents less than 100 rushing yards per game, ranking third in the NCAA with a 89.4-yard rush defense average.
The 2013 unit also ranked 10th in scoring defense (19.0 points) and 16th in total defense (343.1 yards), and was among the nation[apos]s best in producing plays for negative yardage with 44 quarterback sacks and 109 tackles for loss. In 2012, Kotulski[apos]s linebackers were key to Stanford[apos]s 57 quarterback sacks, a school record. That season, the Cardinal also paced the Pac-12 in scoring defense (17.2 points), total defense (336.2 yards) and rushing defense (97.0 yards). Skov was Kotulski[apos]s most decorated player at Stanford, becoming a two-time All-America recipient, two-time All-Pac-12 honoree and 2012 Butkus Award finalist. Tarpley earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention recognition in 2013.
Skov and Tarpley also paced the 2013 Cardinal defense statistically, contributing 109 and 93 tackles, respectively. Skov also produced 13 tackles for loss, 5.5 quarterback sacks and 10 hurries.
Prior to joining the Stanford staff, Kotulski served six years directing one of the Patriot League[apos]s top defense at Lehigh University. In 2011, Lehigh ranked in the top three in six Patriot League defensive categories, including total defense (315.7 yards), rushing defense (102.8 yards), interceptions and sacks. The Mountain Hawks also finished in the Top 20 nationally in both total defense and rushing defense.
After winning its second straight Patriot League title in 2011, Lehigh defeated Towson in the second round of the Football Championship Series (FCS) playoffs before falling to eventual national champion North Dakota State in the quarterfinals.?? In 2009, Kotulski[apos]s Lehigh unit led the nation with 39 sacks.
??Before joining Lehigh, Kotulski was defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Holy Cross in 2005 and Utah State in 2003-04.
Kotulski[apos]s familiarity with Mason dates back to a seven-year tenure at Bucknell University where Mason served as a defensive assistant.
Kotulski also has experience as the defensive coordinator at Utah State University (2003-04) and linebackers/defensive line coach at Saint Mary[apos]s University (1990-94). Kotulski[apos]s coaching career began at St. Paul (Calif.) High School.
An Illinois native, Kotulski earned a bachelor[apos]s degree in physical education in 1974 from New Mexico State, where he lettered as a linebacker and center for the Aggies.??
Kotulski and his wife, Cissy, are the parents of two children, David and Carey.
Kotulski[apos]s Collegiate Coaching Career
2014 – Vanderbilt – Defensive Coordinator/Inside Linebackers
2012-13 – Stanford – Inside Linebackers
2006-11 – Lehigh – Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
2005 – Holy Cross – Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
2003-04 – Utah State – Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
2002 – Bucknell – Interim Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
1995-2001 – Bucknell – Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
1990-94 – Saint Mary[apos]s – Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
1982-89 – Utah – Linebackers/Defensive Line
1978-81 – Utah – Defensive Line