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Kevin Wolthausen comes to Atlanta and the NFL for the first time after building a successful coaching resume at the collegiate level.
Wolthausen spent the past four seasons coaching in different capacities at Louisville. This past season, he added Co-Defensive Coordinator responsibilities to his role as Defensive Line Coach. Despite losing their best three defensive players from 2005 - All-American and Bronko Nagurski award-winning end Elvis Dumervil, linebacker and leading tackler Brandon Johnson and tackle Montavious Stanley the Cardinals defense played well, having 16 different players record sacks on the season. In four games, the Cardinals allowed one touchdown or less, helping the team post a 12-1 overall record and a berth in a BCS game the Orange Bowl.
In 2005, Wolthausen guided Dumervil to one of the finest seasons ever by a Cardinal player as the senior led the nation in sacks (20), forced fumbles (10), and also set an NCAA record for sacks in a game (six) and sacks in two games (nine). Dumervil, a consensus All-American, received the Bronko Nagurski Award for the nation's top defensive player. He was a first team Walter Camp, AFCA and Associated Press All-American and was also a finalist for the Vince Lombardi Award. A fourth-round draft choice by the Denver Broncos, Dumervil went on to post 8.5 sacks as a rookie in 2006.
In 2003, Wolthausen's first year with the Cardinals, he tutored the linebackers, guiding Robert McCune to third team all-conference accolades. McCune had one of the finest seasons in Louisville history, recording a career-high 143 tackles.
Prior to working one season at Eastern Michigan in 2002, Wolthausen spent one season as an assistant coach with the Arizona Rattlers in the Arena League, working with fullbacks and linebackers.
From 1995-2000, Wolthausen served as the Defensive Line Coach at Arizona State. In 1999, Wolthausen saw two Arizona State defensive linemen earn All-Pacific-10 recognition and a selection in the 2000 NFL Draft. Defensive end Erik Flowers (first team all-conference) was the Buffalo Bills' first round selection while tackle Junior Loane (honorable mention) was a fourth round choice of the Oakland Raiders. In 1998, defensive tackle/end Albrey Battle earned honorable mention All-Pacific-10 Conference honors under Wolthausen.
Wolthausen led a group in 1997 that helped ASU to nine wins and a Sun Bowl victory over Iowa. His prize pupil was defensive tackle Jeremy Staat, who won the Pac-10's Morris Trophy for finest lineman. Staat, a first-team All-American, also was voted the best lineman at the '97 Sun Bowl.
In 1996, Wolthausen coached a defensive front that helped ASU to a No. 1 defensive ranking in the Pac-10 Conference. It was led by All-America defensive end and future NFL No. 3 draft choice Derrick Rodgers (Miami Dolphins), who was also a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Award.
Prior to his six-year stint at Arizona State, Wolthausen coached at the University of Oklahoma in 1993 and 1994. In 1994, his defensive front allowed just 151 yards rushing per game and was among the nation's leaders. The Sooners finished 9-3 and defeated Texas Tech in the Hancock Bowl in 1993.
Wolthausen, who has coached in 17 bowl games, coached at Southern California for six seasons (1987-92) under head coach Larry Smith. With the Trojans, Wolthausen produced some of the best defensive lines in the nation. In 1989, the Trojans' rushing defense was first in the Pac-10 and second in the nation, allowing just 66.3 yards per game. In 1988, USC's rushing defense was again second in the nation, allowing a mere 76.6 yards per game. During his tenure at USC, the Trojans played in five bowls - the 1988, '89 and '89 Rose Bowls, the 1990 Hancock Bowl and the 1992 Freedom Bowl.
Prior to USC, Wolthausen coached with Smith at Arizona from 1983 through 1986 in various capacities. In 1986, he was in charge of the defensive line and was the kicking game assistant. In 1985, he served as the Outside Linebackers Coach and he was a graduate assistant helping with the inside and outside linebackers and the kickers.
Wolthausen began his collegiate coaching career as a part-time assistant at Humboldt State University, working with the linebackers and defensive line from 1980 through 1982. He also had been employed as a student assistant, working with the linebackers, tight ends and offensive line at California State Northridge in the spring of 1980.
An all-conference linebacker, co-captain and defensive Most Valuable Player at both Santa Barbara City College and Humboldt State, Wolthausen received his bachelor's degree in physical education in 1981 from Humboldt.
Born December 27, 1957, in Santa Barbara, California, he and his wife, Michel, have a son, Noah, and a daughter, Quinn. |
