Football
- Title:
- Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator/Outside Linebackers
- Email:
- kolakowski_ma@mercer.edu
- Phone:
- (478) 301-4601
Mike Kolakowski, a longtime veteran of NCAA football, finished his sixth season as defensive coordinator & outside linebackers coach at Mercer University in 2018. Kolakowski served on Mercer's football staff since the Bears returned to the gridiron in 2013 & previously held the title of assistant head coach from 2013-16.
A former head coach in NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II & the NAIA, Kolakowski has accrued 34 yards of experience as a defensive mind & recruiter.
Coaching Experience at Mercer (2013-2018):
- 2018
- Guided Mercer's defense through a difficult 2018 season that included a multitude of injuries to key starters and reserves
- Bears ranked seventh & eighth, respectively, in the SoCon in rushing defense & passing yards allowed
- Kolakowski's defense ranked 21st in the FCS in red zone defense (74.5 percent)
- Kolakowski's unit ranked seventh in the SoCon with 14 turnovers gained, including eight interceptions
- Two defensive players earned All-SoCon honors in 2018, including Kolakowski's OLB LeMarkus Bailey, who totaled 59 tackles & 8.0 TFL
- Saw Bailey end an impressive career that included 220 tackles, the third most in program history
- Was key to the success of graduate OLB Bradley Earnest, who totaled 34 tackles, 6.5 TFL & 3.0 sacks in his lone season at Mercer
- 2017
- Guided a defensive unit that once again led the SoCon in turnovers gained (25) & turnover margin (+9)
- Mercer forced nationally-ranked Auburn into five turnovers, its most committed since 2012
- Kolakowski's defense led SoCon & ranked 28th nationally in red zone defense (.750)
- Bears ranked third in SoCon in scoring defense (21.6) in league contests
- Six defensive players earned All-SoCon honors, including OLB LeMarkus Bailey
- 2016
- Bears forced at least 21 turnovers for third straight year & ranked 23rd nationally in turnover margin
- Mercer led SoCon & ranked sixth nationally in fumbles recovered (13)
- Kolakowski's defensive unit had five of Mercer's seven All-SoCon players, including senior OLB Tosin Aguebor
- 2015
- Mercer's defense forced 21 turnovers (11 interceptions, 10 fumble recoveries) & led SoCon in turnover margin (+11)
- Oversaw a defensive unit that allowed SoCon's fewest points per game (21.6)
- Junior OLB Tosin Aguebor earned All-SoCon Second Team honors after finishing third in the league in sacks (7.5)
- 2014
- Guided a young Mercer defense that led SoCon in turnover margin despite featuring just one upperclassman
- Mercer's defense forced 24 turnovers, including a league-best 13 interceptions
- Kolakowski's unit was honored for its work on the field as four Bears – Alex Avant, Tyler Ward, Austin Barrett & Kyle Williams – garnered SoCon postseason honors
- 2013
- Kolakowski's defense finished the season ranked 12th in the FCS in rushing defense (117.3 yards per contest)
- Mercer posted two shutouts during record-breaking season & held six opponents to 21 points or less
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) &Â Morehead State University (1983).
He also spent five years as head coach at California University of Pennsylvania (1996-2001), taking over the lead role after spending the previous two seasons as the team’s defensive coordinator.
More recently, Kolakowski was 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.
