Football
Kaufman, Tom
Tom Kaufman
- Title:
- Special Teams Coordinator/Linebackers
- Phone:
- 6731
Tom Kaufman joined head coach Dino Babers’ staff as Syracuse’s special teams coordinator and linebackers coach in January 2016.
Kaufman previously served as the special teams coordinator for Babers for four seasons while Babers was the head coach at Eastern Illinois (2012-13) and Bowling Green (2014-15). Kaufman also coached the linebackers for Babers in three of those four years before being assigned to mentor the Bowling Green defensive line in 2015.
Kaufman’s work helped Bowling Green win the 2014 Mid-American Conference East Division title, the 2015 MAC Championship, and earn a pair of bowl bids. In 2015, Kaufman’s first year as a defensive line coach, his unit increased its sack production by six from the previous season. Overall, the Falcons tied for third in the MAC in sacks (30) and posted a 10-4 record, earning a trip to the GoDaddy Bowl.
As BGSU’s special teams coordinator, Kaufman was the architect of a punting unit that ranked in the top 30 nationally two years in a row and led the MAC in net average (39.5) in 2015. In 2014, the Falcons punt return team topped the conference and ranked 29th in the FBS at 10.2 yards per return. In addition, the unit was responsible for three blocked punts and two touchdowns with Kaufman in charge.
Kaufman’s tuteledge helped Ryan Burbrink earn All-MAC honors as a punt returner twice, including first-team plaudits in 2014. Kaufman also tutored 2015 All-MAC First Team punter Joe Davidson and 2014 All-MAC Third Team placekicker Tyler Tate.
Another of Kaufman’s protégés, linebacker Gabe Martin, recorded 115 total tackles and led the MAC with 18 tackles for loss on his way to All-MAC Second Team honors in 2014. Martin is currently a member of the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals after signing with the team in 2015 as an undrafted free agent.
At Eastern Illinois, Kaufman was part of Babers’ staff that turned around a struggling Panthers program. After successive 2-9 records in the two seasons before the staff’s arrival, Eastern Illinois improved to 7-5 in 2012 and went 12-2 in 2013. The Panthers won the Ohio Valley Conference and made the FCS playoffs both years, including finishing with the No. 3 national ranking in 2013.
Kaufman’s 2013 Eastern Illinois punt return unit led the FCS at more than 20 yards per return. The Panthers also blocked two kicks and scored four special teams touchdowns. In addition, Kaufman’s kickoff coverage team finished third in the country in fewest yards allowed per return.
Kaufman coached three all-conference performers at EIU, including linebacker Robert Haynes who ranked among the Ohio Valley Conference leaders with 101 tackles in 2012. He also mentored NFL Draft choice Kamu Grugier-Hill at EIU. Grugier-Hill was selected in the sixth round of the 2016 draft by the New England Patriots.
Prior to linking up with Babers, Kaufman was a quality control coach at Texas (2011), Kansas (2010), and spent the 2009 season as a graduate assistant at Mississippi State.
Kaufman began his coaching career in the Division III ranks, working a total of six years at Heidelberg College, Case Western Reserve, and the University of Chicago before making the jump to the FBS. As the defensive coordinator at Chicago in 2008, Kaufman coached seven all-conference players and the Maroons ranked 26th nationally in pass defense.
As the special teams coordinator and linebackers coach at Case Western Reserve, Kaufman mentored seven all-conference selections and three league players of the year, including two-time Gagliardi Trophy (Division III Player of the Year) finalist Tom Brew.
Kaufman earned his undergraduate degree in English from John Carroll University in 2003 and received his master’s degree in education from Heidelberg in 2005.
Tom is married to his wife, Stephanie.
THE KAUFMAN FILE
Experience: 14th season/1st at Syracuse
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
Alma Mater: John Carroll University '03
Family: wife, Stephanie
PLAYING EXPERIENCE
College: John Carroll University (1999-2001)
POSTSEASON COACHING EXPERIENCE
2007 NCAA Division III Playoffs (Second Round)
2011 Holiday Bowl
2012 FCS Playoffs (First Round)
2013 FCS Playoffs (Quarterfinals)
2014 Camellia Bowl
2015 GoDaddy Bowl
PROMINENT PLAYERS COACHED
Case Western Reserve
Tom Brew (Two-time Gagliardi Trophy Finalist, All-American)
Mississippi State
Chris White (Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, New England Patriots)
K.J. Wright (Seattle Seahawks)
Eastern Illinois
Kamu Grugier-Hill (New England Patriots)
Robert Haynes (2013 All-OVC Second Team)
Shepard Little (2013 All-OVC Second Team)
LeQuince McCall (2012 OVC All-Newcomer Team)
Bowling Green
Ryan Burbrink (2014 All-MAC First Team)
Joe Davidson (2015 All-MAC First Team)
D.J. Lynch (New England Patriots)
Gabe Martin (Arizona Cardinals)
Tyler Tate (2014 All-MAC Third Team)
Kaufman previously served as the special teams coordinator for Babers for four seasons while Babers was the head coach at Eastern Illinois (2012-13) and Bowling Green (2014-15). Kaufman also coached the linebackers for Babers in three of those four years before being assigned to mentor the Bowling Green defensive line in 2015.
Kaufman’s work helped Bowling Green win the 2014 Mid-American Conference East Division title, the 2015 MAC Championship, and earn a pair of bowl bids. In 2015, Kaufman’s first year as a defensive line coach, his unit increased its sack production by six from the previous season. Overall, the Falcons tied for third in the MAC in sacks (30) and posted a 10-4 record, earning a trip to the GoDaddy Bowl.
As BGSU’s special teams coordinator, Kaufman was the architect of a punting unit that ranked in the top 30 nationally two years in a row and led the MAC in net average (39.5) in 2015. In 2014, the Falcons punt return team topped the conference and ranked 29th in the FBS at 10.2 yards per return. In addition, the unit was responsible for three blocked punts and two touchdowns with Kaufman in charge.
Kaufman’s tuteledge helped Ryan Burbrink earn All-MAC honors as a punt returner twice, including first-team plaudits in 2014. Kaufman also tutored 2015 All-MAC First Team punter Joe Davidson and 2014 All-MAC Third Team placekicker Tyler Tate.
Another of Kaufman’s protégés, linebacker Gabe Martin, recorded 115 total tackles and led the MAC with 18 tackles for loss on his way to All-MAC Second Team honors in 2014. Martin is currently a member of the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals after signing with the team in 2015 as an undrafted free agent.
At Eastern Illinois, Kaufman was part of Babers’ staff that turned around a struggling Panthers program. After successive 2-9 records in the two seasons before the staff’s arrival, Eastern Illinois improved to 7-5 in 2012 and went 12-2 in 2013. The Panthers won the Ohio Valley Conference and made the FCS playoffs both years, including finishing with the No. 3 national ranking in 2013.
Kaufman’s 2013 Eastern Illinois punt return unit led the FCS at more than 20 yards per return. The Panthers also blocked two kicks and scored four special teams touchdowns. In addition, Kaufman’s kickoff coverage team finished third in the country in fewest yards allowed per return.
Kaufman coached three all-conference performers at EIU, including linebacker Robert Haynes who ranked among the Ohio Valley Conference leaders with 101 tackles in 2012. He also mentored NFL Draft choice Kamu Grugier-Hill at EIU. Grugier-Hill was selected in the sixth round of the 2016 draft by the New England Patriots.
Prior to linking up with Babers, Kaufman was a quality control coach at Texas (2011), Kansas (2010), and spent the 2009 season as a graduate assistant at Mississippi State.
Kaufman began his coaching career in the Division III ranks, working a total of six years at Heidelberg College, Case Western Reserve, and the University of Chicago before making the jump to the FBS. As the defensive coordinator at Chicago in 2008, Kaufman coached seven all-conference players and the Maroons ranked 26th nationally in pass defense.
As the special teams coordinator and linebackers coach at Case Western Reserve, Kaufman mentored seven all-conference selections and three league players of the year, including two-time Gagliardi Trophy (Division III Player of the Year) finalist Tom Brew.
Kaufman earned his undergraduate degree in English from John Carroll University in 2003 and received his master’s degree in education from Heidelberg in 2005.
Tom is married to his wife, Stephanie.
THE KAUFMAN FILE
Experience: 14th season/1st at Syracuse
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
Alma Mater: John Carroll University '03
Family: wife, Stephanie
PLAYING EXPERIENCE
College: John Carroll University (1999-2001)
| COACHING LEDGER | ||
| 2003-04 | Linebackers | Heidelberg College |
| 2005-07 | Special Teams Coordinator/Linebackers | Case Western Reserve |
| 2008 | Defensive Coordinator/Secondary | University of Chicago |
| 2009 | Graduate Assistant | Mississippi State |
| 2010 | Quality Control Coach | Kansas |
| 2011 | Quality Control Coach | Texas |
| 2012 | Linebackers | Eastern Illinois |
| 2013 | Special Teams Coordinator/Linebackers | Eastern Illinois |
| 2014 | Special Teams Coordinator/Linebackers | Bowling Green |
| 2015 | Special Teams Coordinator/Defensive Line | Bowling Green |
| 2016-present | Special Teams Coordinator/Linebackers | Syracuse |
POSTSEASON COACHING EXPERIENCE
2007 NCAA Division III Playoffs (Second Round)
2011 Holiday Bowl
2012 FCS Playoffs (First Round)
2013 FCS Playoffs (Quarterfinals)
2014 Camellia Bowl
2015 GoDaddy Bowl
PROMINENT PLAYERS COACHED
Case Western Reserve
Tom Brew (Two-time Gagliardi Trophy Finalist, All-American)
Mississippi State
Chris White (Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, New England Patriots)
K.J. Wright (Seattle Seahawks)
Eastern Illinois
Kamu Grugier-Hill (New England Patriots)
Robert Haynes (2013 All-OVC Second Team)
Shepard Little (2013 All-OVC Second Team)
LeQuince McCall (2012 OVC All-Newcomer Team)
Bowling Green
Ryan Burbrink (2014 All-MAC First Team)
Joe Davidson (2015 All-MAC First Team)
D.J. Lynch (New England Patriots)
Gabe Martin (Arizona Cardinals)
Tyler Tate (2014 All-MAC Third Team)
Fran Brown Press Conference | Week 3 vs. Colgate
Monday, September 08
Fran Brown Press Conference
Monday, September 08
Fran Brown Postgame Press Conference
Saturday, September 06
Players Postgame vs. UConn
Saturday, September 06
