Mike Kolakowski, a longtime veteran of NCAA football, is in his second season as Mercer’s assistant head coach, defensive coordinator and outside linebackers coach. A former head coach in the NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II and the NAIA, Kolakowski has accrued 32 years of experience as a defensive mind and recruiter.
In 2013, Kolakowski’s defensive unit finished the season ranked 12th in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision in rushing defense, after surrendering just 117.3 yards per contest in the Bears’ long-awaited return to the gridiron. The defense, under Kolakowski’s guidance, posted two shutouts during Mercer’s record-breaking season, while holding six opponents under 21 points or less. He also oversaw the development of standout outside linebacker Tosin Aguebor, who was named a First Team All-Pioneer Football League selection as a freshman.
Kolakowski has filled or shared the role of defensive coordinator at Youngstown State University (2004-06), University of Cincinnati (2003), California University of Pennsylvania (2002), University of Maine (1989), The College of William & Mary (1988) and Morehead State University (1983).
He also spent five years as head coach at California University of Pennsylvania (1996-2001), taking over the head coaching role after spending the previous two seasons as the team’s defensive coordinator.
More recently, Kolakowski was the defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Ava Maria University, a startup NAIA program in Florida. In 2009, he served as the defensive coach at Youngstown State, after working in Butch Jones’ staff at Central Michigan from 2007-2008 as the defensive safeties coach and special teams coordinator.
Kolakowski played four seasons at wide receiver at his alma mater, Ohio Northern University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in science in health and physical education.
He and his wife, Kris, are the parents of a daughter, Ashley and son, Ryan.
Copyright 2014 Mercer Athletics. All Right Reserved