David Kotulski is in his second year as defensive coordinator for the Mercyhurst football program. He brings a wealth of experience to the Lakers with 39 years of coaching experience, including 23 as a defensive coordinator.
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Kotulski became the Lakers' DC after spending the 2016 season as the inside linebackers coach for Utah State. His most recent defensive coordinator position was at Vanderbilt (2014). He has also been the defensive coordinator for Lehigh (2006-11), Holy Cross (2005), Utah State (2003-04), Bucknell (1995-01) and Saint Mary's, Calif. (1990-94).
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Kotulski has also held assistant coaching stints at Stanford (2012-13) and Utah (1978-89). He was the interim head coach for Bucknell in 2002.
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Kotulski got his coaching career started in the high school ranks when he was head coach of Saint Paul High School in Santa Fe Springs, Calif.
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A native of Oak Park, Ill., Kotulski played two years of football for Morton Junior College in his native state before playing two years at New Mexico State. He graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Physical Education.
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Kotulski coached in the Rose Bowl twice – in 2012 and 2013; the Stanford Cardinal were Rose Bowl champions in 2012 and finished sixth on the final NCAA poll. The following year, Stanford was 10th.
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Kotulski also coached three Patriot League championship teams while at Lehigh (2006, 2010, 2011). As Bucknell's interim head coach, he guided the league's top total defense in 2002.
