March 1, 2012

STANFORD, Calif. -- - Bradford M. Freeman Director of Football David Shaw has announced the appointment of David Kotulski to the position of inside linebackers coach.

Kotulski has spent the last six seasons as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Lehigh University, where he help guide the Mountain Hawks to back-to-back Patriot League championships in 2010 and '11.

He has also served on coaching staffs at Holy Cross, Utah State, Bucknell, Saint Mary's and Utah during his 31-year career.

"David Kotulski is a veteran in 3-4 defense and has a very positive history with both Derek Mason and Lance Anderson," said Shaw. "He has demonstrated through the years that he is an outstanding teacher, great motivator and a very good recruiter - especially in the Northeast. Our entire staff will benefit from his experience and expertise."

Under Kotulski's direction, Lehigh's defense ranked in the top three in six Patriot League defensive categories in 2011, including total defense (2nd; 315.7), rushing defense (3rd; 102.8), pass efficiency defense (1st; 109.6), interceptions (3rd; 11.2), sacks (1st; 2.62) and opponent third down conversion (1st; 33.3).

The Mountain Hawks finished in the top 20 nationally in rushing defense (12th), pass efficiency defense (14th), sacks-per-game (16th) and total defense (19th).

Lehigh held six of its final eight opponents to 13 points or less and the defense scored points in three late season games against Georgetown (interception return for TD), Lafayette (fumble return for TD) and Towson (game-winning safety).

Five Mountain Hawks earned All-Patriot League honors, including first team selections linebacker Mike Groome and left tackle Ben Flizack. Groome was also named an All-American by Phil Steele and College Sports Journal.

After winning its second straight Patriot League title in 2011, the Mountain Hawks 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 2010, Kotulski's defense led the Patriot League and ranked 13th nationally in sacks per game. The Mountain Hawks allowed just over 19 points a game, ranking first in the league and 16th nationally in scoring defense. Lehigh also ranked second in the Patriot League in rushing and passing defense, as well as total defense.

Nine of Kotulski's defensive starters earned first or second team All-Patriot League honors.

In 2009, Lehigh led the nation in sacks with 39 and ranked 12th nationally in tackles-for-loss with 83. The Mountain Hawks also led the Patriot League in pass defense and red zone defense, while ranking second in scoring defense and total defense.

Linebacker Matt Cohen was named the Patriot League's Defensive Player of the Year and also received All-America honors from various outlets.

The 2008 season saw Lehigh's defense lead the Patriot League and finish 26th nationally in sacks with 26 and a league-best 18 interceptions. The Mountain Hawks also ranked second in the league in scoring defense and rushing defense.

Six Mountain Hawks earned all-league honors, including Cohen, who led the league in both sacks and tackles-for-loss. Tim Diamond, Brian Johnson and Quadir Carter garnered All-America honors.

Kotulski's 2007 defensive unit ranked second in the Patriot League and 23rdnationally in scoring defense (21.1) and third in total defense and rushing defense. He mentored six players who earned All-Patriot League recognition, including All-American Tim Diamond, who became the first Lehigh player since 2004 to register 100+ tackles.

In his first season at Lehigh in 2006, the Mountain Hawks led the Patriot League in scoring defense (20.2) and turnover margin (+6) and ranked second in total defense, pass efficiency defense and red-zone defense. Seven players earned all-league honors.

Kotukski spent the 2005 season as the defensive coordinator at Holy Cross, where his unit ranked second in the Patriot League in red zone defense and seventh nationally in turnover margin (+1.0). He also headed the Crusaders punt return unit, which led the league and ranked sixth nationally, averaging over 16 yards per return.

Prior to his arrival at Holy Cross, Kotulski spent two seasons (2003-04) as the defensive coordinator at Utah State. In his first season, the Aggies improved by 63 places nationally in total defense and 63 spots in passing defense.

Kotulski spent eight seasons (1995-2002) as the defensive coordinator at Bucknell University, where he also served as the interim head coach for the 2002 season.

Kotulski worked with Stanford associate head coach and defensive coordinator Derek Mason and outside linebackers coach Lance Anderson at Bucknell and also worked with Anderson at Utah State.

He came to Bucknell after serving as the defensive coordinator at Saint Mary's College for five seasons (1990-94).

Kotulski first entered the collegiate coaching ranks in 1978 as the defensive line coach at Utah, where he worked with the defensive line and linebackers at various times during his 12-year stay in Salt Lake City.

A native of Illinois, Kotulski earned his bachelor's degree in physical education in 1974 from New Mexico State, where he lettered as a linebacker and center for the Aggies.