CLEVELAND, Ohio – St. Ignatius has officially appointed Tom Kaufman as the new head football coach, a move that promises to invigorate the program with his extensive experience and proven track record.
Kaufman brings over 21 years of coaching experience, having recently concluded a successful tenure as head coach at Marietta College, where he made history as the 30th individual to lead the program since its inception. Prior to Marietta, he achieved significant success at Gilmour Academy, steering the team to a record-breaking 12 victories and marking the institution’s first appearance in the Elite 8.
His coaching expertise spans multiple colleges and high school programs. Kaufman has held pivotal roles at Kent State as associate head coach and defensive coordinator, and he also served as defensive coordinator at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. His experience extends to Special Teams Coordinator positions at several Division I institutions, including Syracuse, Bowling Green, and Eastern Illinois. Furthermore, he has been part of coaching staffs at notable universities such as the University of Texas, Kansas, and Mississippi State.
A distinguished athlete in his own right, Kaufman played linebacker at John Carroll University, where he garnered All-Conference and Academic All-Conference accolades and captained his team. His academic credentials include a Bachelor of Arts in English from John Carroll and a Master of Arts in Education from Heidelberg University.
The addition of Coach Kaufman signals a new era for St. Ignatius football, as the program looks to leverage his leadership and experience to cultivate not only skilled athletes but also dedicated students. With such a strong background, Kaufman is poised to inspire the next generation of players and build upon the school’s rich tradition in football.