The Buccaneers have interviewed yet another person for their vacant defensive line coaching position, this time dipping into the college ranks to meet with University of Miami defensive line coach Craig Kuligowski. Tampa Bay has also interviewed assistant defensive line coach Paul Spicer, former Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Ted Monachino, and former Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Brentson Buckner after firing former defensive line coach Jay Hayes on February 9.

Former Bucs DE Jacquies Smith – Photo by: Getty Images

Perhaps the best and most well-known college defensive line coach, Kuligowski has spent two years at the University of Miami where he was promoted to assistant head coach this past season. The Hurricanes led the nation in sacks (43), and were first nationally in turnover margin.

Prior to working with the Hurricanes, Kuligowski earned a reputation for producing top-flight defensive linemen at the University of Missouri for the previous 15 years. In 2014, the Tigers led the SEC with a school-record 44 sacks led by defensive ends Shane Ray, a first-round pick by Denver, and Markus Golden, who was selected in the third round by Arizona.

In 2013, Mizzou defensive Michael Sam led the SEC in sacks with 11.5 and 19 tackles for loss as the SEC Defensive Player of the Year and was the school’s first defensive First-Team All-American since defensive end Justin Smith in 2001.

Kuligowski has also produced other NFL defensive linemen while at Missouri, including defensive ends Aldon Smith, Kony Ealy, Charles Harris and Jacquies Smith, a former member of the Buccaneers, and defensive tackles Sheldon Richardson and Ziggy Hood. In all, Kuligowski coached 24 all-conference players and four first-round picks.