Jeff Gutowski begins his 12th year on the staff at Mercyhurst University and his fifth season as the defensive coordinator.
In three of his first four seasons as the defensive coordinator, Mercyhurst ranked among the top five teams in total defense in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. The Lakers ranked fifth in the conference in 2011, improved to second in 2012, and were third in 2013, allowing 333.5 yards per game. The Lakers finished eighth in the PSAC last season.
In scoring defense, the Laker defense has made vast improvements. After ranking 11th in the PSAC in Gutowski’s first season as defensive coordinator, Mercyhurst ranked second in the league in 2012 (23.1) and third in the conference in 2013 (20.9). The Lakers ended ninth in the conference last season.
Prior to taking over as defensive coordinator, Gutowski had stints as secondary coach, as linebackers coach, and as kick return coordinator. During his tenure as the linebackers’ leader, Gutowski guided six different Lakers to nine all-conference certificates, including five first-team honorees and the West Defensive Player of the Year (Bryan Boyce, 2010).
Since joining the PSAC in 2008, the defensive unit has thrived with Gutowski’s assistance. The Lakers finished third in total defense in 2008, allowing just 282.3 yards per contest, including a league-best pass defense that gave up just 153.6 yards per game. That squad also held opponents to the fourth-lowest points per game average (18.0). In 2009, the Lakers ranked third in rushing defense (118.5 ypg). The 2010 defense produced two shutouts - the first time that had been accomplished since 1989. It held opponents to 20.4 points per game (5th – PSAC) while allowing just 110.0 yards per game rushing (3rd - PSAC) and 176.4 yards per game passing (3rd- PSAC). The unit also tied for first in the conference in both interceptions (21) and sacks (40).
Gutowski served his first two years on the Lakers’ staff as a graduate assistant coach responsible for outside linebackers and defensive backs in the 4-3 and 3-4 defense.
The Crown Point, Indiana native got his start in collegiate coaching in 2002 as the quality control coach with Indiana University. From there, he was promoted to assistant recruiting coordinator for the Hoosiers in 2003. In that position, Gutowski was responsible for all operations of the recruiting office and assisted in acquiring the Hoosiers’ best recruiting class in over a decade according to several recruiting sources. Two of Gutowski’s charges from that class were eventually drafted in the NFL.
Gutowski has also had success at the scholastic level, helping to coach Andrean High School (Merrillville, Ind.) to a state runner-up finish in 2001.
Gutowski played collegiate football for one year at Northern Illinois, lettering as a freshman walk-on after playing wide receiver and special teams in nine games for the Huskies. He then went on to Indiana where he would earn a bachelor’s degree in exercise science in 2003. Additionally, he received a post-graduate business certificate from Mercyhurst College.
Gutowski is the son of Laurie and Dennis and has two siblings, Tim and Jamie.
