Tom Kaufman - Football Coach - Bowling Green State University Athletics

Liberty

Sep 13 (Sat)

5 p.m.

Tom Kaufman

Title:
Special Teams Coordinator (Linebackers)
Email:
kaufmat@bgsu.edu

Tom Kaufman enters his second season at Bowling Green in 2015. He will coach the defensive line and special teams. Kaufman has coached under Babers in each of the past three seasons.

In 2014, Kaufman had one of the strongest linebacker units in the Mid-American Conference. Second team All-MAC performer Gabe Martin led the team with 115 total tackles. He recorded a MAC-high 18.0 tackles for loss and also added 2.5 sacks, six passes defensed, two interceptions, three quarterback hurries, one fumble forced, a fumble recovery, and a blocked field goal. Kaufman mentored one of the most integral position changes for the Falcons last season, as James Sanford made the switch from defensive back to linebacker, recording 71 tackles and making nine starts.

On special teams, Kaufman’s units were among the most impressive in the MAC. Punt returner Ryan Burbrink was named first team All-MAC at the position, while placekicker Tyler Tate was named to the third team. Tate set the school record for field goals made in a single season at BGSU in 2014. In addition, punter Joe Davidson set the school record for punt attempts and punting yardage, while kick returner Clint Stephens set a school record for longest kick return with his 96 yard touchdown return against Ball State.

During his time at EIU, Kaufman’s linebackers were routinely a major factor on one of the best defenses at forcing turnovers in the country. In 2013, linebacker Robert Haynes was named All-OVC under the guidance of Kaufman.

On special teams, EIU had one of the best units in the country. The Panthers finished 2013 with the No. 1 punt return unit, averaging 20.0 yards per return. Eastern Illinois also blocked two kicks and had four special teams' touchdowns. Kaufman's kickoff coverage unit finished as the third-best in the country.

Kaufman coached a young group of linebackers during his first season. Robert Haynes ranked among the OVC leaders in tackles as he led the Panthers with 101. LeQuince McCall earned All-OVC Newcomer team honors finishing the year with 82 tackles. The linebacker corps helped EIU rank 18th in the nation in turnovers gained.

Kaufman worked as a quality control coach at Texas in 2011 helping the Longhorns earn a bid to the Holiday Bowl.

Prior to working at Texas, Kaufman spent one season as a quality control coach at Kansas (2010) and one season as a graduate assistant at Mississippi State (2009).

In 2008 Kaufman was the defensive coordinator at the University of Chicago before making the jump to NCAA Division I.

Kaufman is familiar with the Midwest with five years as an assistant coach at two Division III schools in Ohio. He was the linebackers and special teams coach at Case Western Reserve from 2005-07 helping the team go 10-0 during the 2007 season, advancing to the second round of the NCAA playoffs. At Case Western he coached Tom Brew – a two-time Gagliardi Trophy finalist and three conference players of the year.

Kaufman was the linebackers coach at Heidelberg College from 2003-04 earning his master’s degree in education in 2005.

Kaufman played at John Carroll (Ohio) University, earning all-conference and academic all-conference honors. He earned his bachelor’s degree in English in 2003 and is married to his wife, Stephanie.