Football
- Title:
- Defensive Coordinator/Associate Head Coach/Inside Linebackers
Tom Kaufman joined Kent State in January of 2018 as associate head coach and defensive coordinator as well as the inside linebackers coach.
In the shortened 2020 season, Kaufman’s defense held opponents to a mere two passing touchdowns and 648 total passing yards over four games, with the Flashes going 3-1 in the process. Over the final three games of the year, opposing offenses failed to score a single touchdown through the air. Additionally, on the ground, in the first contest of the season against Eastern Michigan, Kaufman’s defense kept the Eagles to 61 rushing yards.
In Kaufman's second season as the defensive coordinator, he and the Golden Flashes won the first bowl game in program history with a 51-41 victory over Utah State in the Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl. Kaufman's defense secured the Flashes spot in the program's fourth bowl game with an interception against Eastern Michigan as time winded down.
Timely takeaways were a large part of the Flashes success in 2019 as Kent State ranked 27th in the country in turnover margin (+6). The defense flashed when it needed to and resulted in two players grabbing all-MAC honors. Jamal Parker earned a spot on the all-MAC second team for his play at the third level. His 10 pass breakups ranked fourth in the conference while his three interceptions tied for fifth in the MAC, leading the Flashes in both categories. Theo Majette anchored the Flashes defensive line, earning third-team All-MAC honors and registering a team-high 5.5 sacks to go along with 40 tackles and a forced fumble.
Kaufman's transitioned the defense to a 3-4 scheme and in his first year at Kent State saw defensive tackle Kalil Morris named to the All-MAC Second Team and sign with the Baltimore Ravens. The defense held two opponents under 100 rushing yards for the first time since 2016.
Kaufman spent the 2017 season as defensive coordinator at Chattanooga. The Mocs led the Southern Conference in total defense allowing just 326.4 yards per game and 309.6 yards per contest in conference games.
Chattanooga also led the SoCon in pass defense and ranked second in first downs allowed. Four Mocs on defense earned all-conference honors and senior linebacker Tae Davis was selected to play in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.
In 2016, Kaufman served as special teams coordinator and linebackers coach at Syracuse alongside Sean Lewis. Two Syracuse linebackers and two specialists earned All-ACC honors under Kaufman’s guidance, while the Orange punt return unit ranked fourth in the nation.
Prior to Syracuse, Kaufman and Lewis spent four seasons together at Bowling Green (2014-15) and Eastern Illinois (2012-13) under Dino Babers.
While at Bowling Green, Kaufman directed the Falcons’ defensive line and special teams. The Falcons won back-to-back East Division titles, the 2014 Camellia Bowl and the 2015 MAC Championship Game.
Eastern Illinois won back-to-back Ohio Valley Conference championships in 2012-13 with Kaufman serving as linebackers coach. The Panthers finished 12-2 in 2013, advancing to the FCS quarterfinals.
Kaufman was a quality control coach at Texas in 2011 and Kansas in 2010. He served as a graduate assistant at Mississippi State in 2009. He also coached six seasons (2003-08) at the Division III level, spending time at Heidelberg, Case Western Reserve and Chicago, where he served as defensive coordinator. In 2008, seven players on Chicago’s defense earned all-conference honors.
“Tom is a relentless recruiter and a great football mind,” Lewis said upon Kaufman’s hiring. “He’s going to bring an aggressive, attacking defense that was No. 1 in the SoCon last year. I couldn’t be more excited to have him on board.”
Kaufman played at John Carroll from 1999-2002 and earned his undergraduate degree in 2003 as an English major. He earned a master’s degree from Heidelberg in 2005. Tom and his wife Stephanie, have two sons, Jack and Max.
