Keith Dudzinski - Football Coach - University of Massachusetts Athletics

Keith Dudzinski

Title:
Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach
Email:
kdudzinski@umass.edu

Recruiting Areas: Connecticut-Fairfield County / Maryland / Delaware / Southwest Florida

Alma Mater: New Haven '91
Season at Massachusetts: 13th (1998-2001; 2004-2010; 2022-present)

Keith Dudzinski made his way back to Amherst in December of 2021 to serve as Don Brown’s defensive coordinator. In his first season back with the Minutemen, he helped the defense move from 130th to 55th in FBS and saw Jalen Mackie (First Team LB), Jordan Mahoney (First Team CB), Marcus Cushnie (Second Team DE), Tyler Rudolph (Second Team S) named to Phil Steele's 2022 Postseason All-Independent Conference Team.

Dudzinski played a role in helping the program in the next steps during the 2023 season as the Minutemen posted three wins against the nation's 44th-toughest schedule including road triumphs at New Mexico State and at Army. It was the first time since 2018 that UMass posted at least three wins in a season and the first time since 2015 the team posted multiple road victories.

At the conclusion of the 2023 season, three defensive players were placed on Phil Steele’s 2023 Postseason All-Independent Conference Team, including Billy Wooden (First Team DT), JB Brown (Second Team DE), Tyler Rudolph (Second Team S).

Prior to returning to UMass, Jedd Fisch announced the addition of Dudzinski to his first staff at Arizona in January of 2021. Dudzinski served as Arizona's linebackers coach, while also assisting the program's special teams unit.

Dudzinski brought 30 years of coaching experience to Arizona and joined the Wildcats after spending the 2020 season as a defensive analyst under Don Brown during the pair’s time at Michigan. Dudzinski's defensive coaching career saw four stints as a defensive coordinator at Albany (2018-19), Maryland (2015), Massachusetts (2004-10), and Northeastern (2003). He has coached five NFL Draft picks, including three in the top-100 and one first round selection in safety Darnell Savage Jr.

Prior to his year at Michigan, Dudzinski spent four seasons at Albany and finished his tenure with the Great Danes as the program's associate head coach and defensive coordinator. In 2017, while coaching safeties, the Albany defense ranked No. 9 in FCS and second in the Colonial Athletic Association in total defense.

Dudzinski served as a member of Maryland's defensive staff from 2011-2015 and helped lead the Terrapins to one of their best defense seasons in the ACC. The 2013 Terps finished top three in the conference in total defense, passing defense and rushing defense.

Dudzinski helped guide the Minutemen defense to top-20 rankings nationally in total defense in three different seasons. UMass was also first in scoring defense in 2005 and fifth nationally the following season.
He spent two seasons on staff at Northeastern, including the Huskies' 2002 banner season with a mark of 10-3, a share of an Atlantic 10 title and the program's first ever FCS playoff appearance.

Dudzinski's collegiate coaching career began at the University of New Haven, his alma mater, in 1991 before spending four seasons at Brown University.

The former All-Conference linebacker and team captain at New Haven, Dudzinski and his wife, Kathy, have two daughters, Mary Kathryn and Elizabeth, and a son, Jack, who was a member of UAlbany's offensive line from 2014 to 2018.

Dudzinski • Season-By-Season Coaching History

Massachusetts – Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers (2022-present)
Arizona – Linebackers / Special Teams Coordinator (2021)
Michigan – Defensive Analyst (2020)
Albany – Safeties (2016-17); Associate Head Coach / Defensive Coordinator (2018-19)
Maryland – Inside Linebackers (2011-14); Defensive Coordinator (2015)
Massachusetts – Defensive Coordinator (2004-10)
Northeastern – Linebackers (2002); Defensive Coordinator (2003)
Massachusetts – Defensive Line (1998); Linebackers / Special Teams (1999-2000); Defensive Backs (2001)
Brown – Defensive Line (1994-97)
New Haven – Graduate Assistant - Outside Linebackers (1991-93)

Dudzinski • Postseason Coaching History

Albany – FCS Playoffs Second Round (2019)
Maryland – Foster Farms Bowl (2014)
Maryland – Military Bowl (2013)
Massachusetts – FCS Playoffs Quarterfinals (2007)
Massachusetts – FCS Playoffs Title Game (2006)
Northeastern – NCAA Division I-AA Playoffs First Round (2002)
Massachusetts – NCAA Division I-AA Playoffs Quarterfinals (1999)
Massachusetts – NCAA Division I-AA Playoffs National Champion (1998)
New Haven – NCAA Division II Playoffs Quarterfinals (1993)
New Haven – NCAA Division II Playoffs Semifinals (1992)