Dave Kotulski Hometown: Lewisburg, Pa. Last College: New Mexico State '74 Position: Acting Head Coach Experience: Eighth Season

Dave Kotulski enters his eighth season as Bucknell’s defensive coordinator, and this season his role expands to that of acting head coach, as Tom Gadd announced this past July that he would step aside to focus on regaining his health.

In the short time since his arrival, Kotulski has established a proud tradition of excellence on the defensive side of the ball. In seven seasons under Kotulski, the Bison have finished lower than second in the Patriot League in total defense just once, and have remained in the top-three in scoring defense each year. Last season the Bison defense ranked in the top 20 nationally in five categories, including fifth in yards allowed (260.1) and 11th in points allowed (15.7).

Individually, Bucknell has also fared well since Kotulski took over the Bison defensive unit. Four players have earned All-America honors, including current senior Adam Lord, and 29 players have garnered all-league recognition.

In his first season at Bucknell (1995), the Bison ranked 16th in Division I-AA in total defense, allowing 281.9 yards of offense per game. That was the lowest average allowed by the Bison since 1976.

Last winter Kotulski was promoted to associate head coach. Kotulski came to Bucknell from St. Mary’s (Calif.), where he served as defensive coordinator from 1990-94.Under Kotulski, the Gaels’ defense allowed just 86.9 rushing yards per game in 1994, which ranked third-best in the nation, as the Gaels posted a 7-3 record. In 1997, the Bison traveled to California for a first-ever meeting with the Gaels, and came away with a thrilling 45-38 victory. Last season the Gaels came to Lewisburg leading the nation in rushing offense at 426.7 yards per game, but were limited to only 108 by the Bison.

Kotulski graduated from New Mexico State in 1974 and began his coaching career in 1975 at St. Paul High School in Southern California. He also played at Fenwick High School in the Chicago Catholic League.

Kotulski moved to the college ranks in 1978 as the defensive line coach at the University of Utah, and worked with the Utes’ program from 1978-89.

He served as defensive line coach from 1978-81, and as defensive line and linebackers coach from 1982-89. While at Utah, Kotulski worked with current Bison coach Tom Gadd.

Kotulski and his wife, Cissy, have two children, David, 15, and Carey, 14.