The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Football
- Title:
- Defensive Coordinator and Outside Linebackers
An architect of some of the top defenses in the nation at Washington and Boise State, Pete Kwiatkowski (quit-COW-ski) was named defensive coordinator and outside linebackers coach at Texas on January 22, 2021. He enters his fifth season on Sarkisian's staff at Texas.
Kwiatkowski was a finalist for the 2024 Broyles Award after he helped the Longhorn defense ranked third in the FBS in scoring defense (15.3 ppg) and total defense with an SEC-best 283.4 yards allowed per game. It also forced an SEC leading 31 turnovers (2nd FBS) including an FBS-best 22 interceptions, and nearly three sacks (2.88/15th FBS) per game. Four defensive players garnered All-America honors (DB Jahdae Barron, DT Alfred Collins, LB Anthony Hill Jr. and DB Michael Taaffe). Barron won the Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back, along with being UT’s first-ever defensive back to be a Nagurski Award finalist, and EDGE Colin Simmons claimed the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award and was tabbed a Freshman All-American. Following the 2024 season, five Longhorn defenders were selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. Jahdae Barron was taken in the first round with the 20th overall pick by the Denver Broncos, while Alfred Collins was drafted in the second round by the San Francisco 49ers, Andrew Mukuba was selected in the second round by the Philadelphia Eagles, Vernon Broughton was drafted in the third round by the New Orleans Saints and Barryn Sorrell was picked in the fourth round by the Green Bay Broncos.
A 2023 Broyles Award semifinalist as the nation’s top assistant football coach, Kwiatkowski led the continued improvement of the Texas defense in year three on the Forty Acres. Led by Outland Trophy winner and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year T’Vondre Sweat and Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year Byron Murphy II, the Texas defense held opponents to 82.4 rushing yards per game (3rd NCAA), allowing fewer than 100 yards rushing by eight opponents. The defense also touted Butkus Award semifinalist Jaylan Ford and Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist Jahdae Barron, who helped the Horns rank second in the nation in third-down defense (26.6 percent) and seventh in red zone defense (73.8 percent).
In 2022, the Longhorn defense featured All-American Jaylan Ford and 10 all-conference honorees, including first-team selections Ford and LB DeMarvion Overshown and second-team defensive linemen Keondre Coburn and Moro Ojomo. UT ranked 12th in defensive touchdowns (3), 25th in red zone defense (.780), 27th in the nation in scoring defense (21.6) and 29th in team tackles for loss (6.7).
In his first season on the Forty Acers, Kwiatkowski led a defense that produced eight honorable mention All-Big 12 honorees, as well as honorable mention accolades for Ovie Ogoufo as Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year and Byron Murphy II as the conference’s Defensive Freshman of the Year. The Longhorns shut out Rice, 58-0, the first shutout for Texas since 2017, yielding only 284 total yards in the process.
He arrived in Austin after seven seasons at Washington (2014-20) with the first six under Chris Petersen, followed by the last one with Jimmy Lake, helping build one of the Pac-12’s strongest and most consistent defenses. From 2015-19 the Huskies ranked no lower than 13th nationally in scoring defense (2015), including ranking fifth from 2017-19 and eighth in 2016.
Kwiatkowski has proven to be an outstanding developer of talent. During his time as defensive coordinator and co-defensive coordinator at Washington, a total of 17 members of the Husky defense have been drafted by NFL teams, including 10 in the first two rounds, with several more signing as free agents. After his first season in Seattle, Kwiatkowksi saw four members of his defense selected in the first 44 picks of the 2015 NFL Draft: first-rounders DT Danny Shelton, CB Marcus Peters and LB Shaq Thompson, and second-rounder LB Hau’oli Kikaha. The following year, OLB Travis Feeney was selected by the Steelers.
In 2017, another three defensive players were taken in the first two rounds in CB Kevin King, S Budda Baker and CB Sidney Jones. In 2018, DT Vita Vea was a first-round pick, while LBs Azeem Victor and Keishawn Bierra were also drafted. In 2019, five more Husky defenders were selected including second-rounders CB Byron Murphy and S Taylor Rapp, along with DL Greg Gaines, LB Ben Burr-Kirven and CB Jordan Miller.
Washington played only four games in 2020, but led the Pac-12 in total defense at 346.2 yards per game, which ranked 27th nationally, including 185.0 passing yards per game that led the Pac-12 and ranked 13th in the nation. Despite the limited opportunities, OLB Zion Tupuola-Fetui compiled seven sacks, giving him a 1.75 per game average, which was the best in the nation and helped earn him first-team All-Pac-12 honors. He also forced three fumbles and recovered one. LB Edefuan Ulofoshio led the team in tackles with 47 for an average of 11.8 per game, which led the Pac-12 and ranked fourth nationally, and helped garner him second-team all-conference accolades. Defensive backs Elijah Molden and Trent McDuffie were also named to the first and second All-Pac-12 team, respectively.
In 2019, serving his second year in the role of co-defensive coordinator and outside linebackers coach, Kwiatkowksi helped oversee a young Husky defense that limited opponents to just 19.4 points per game, which ranked fifth nationally. Both of his two starting outside ‘backers – Joe Tryon and Ryan Bowman – earned second-team All-Pac-12. Washington finished the year 8-5 and capped it with a win over Boise State in the Las Vegas Bowl
In 2018, Kwiatkowski helped mentor a Husky defense that continued its reign atop the Pac-12 Conference as Washington led the league in both scoring defense (15.5 ppg) and total defense (301.8 ypg) for the fourth year in a row. Those numbers ranked fifth and 12th in the nation, respectively. The Huskies, who won a Pac-12 title for the second team in three years, also finished second in the conference in rushing defense (116.1 ypg/15th nationally), pass defense (190.1 ypg/25th nationally) and pass efficiency defense (117.31/26th nationally). Washington posted a 10-4 record, finished the season ranked 13th in both polls, won the Pac-12 Championship and made in appearance in the Rose Bowl.
In 2017, under the direction of Kwiatkowski, the Huskies were the best in the Pac-12 in both total defense (298.0 ypg/eighth nationally) and scoring defense (16.1 ppg/fifth nationally). They also led the Pac-12 in rushing defense (100.8 ypg/fourth nationally) and were third in the conference in passing defense (197.2 ypg/32nd nationally), but led the nation in fewest yards allowed per completion (9.42). It marked the first time the Huskies’ had allowed under 300 total yards in back-to-back years since 1990 and 1991. Washington went 10-3 that year with an appearance in the Fiesta Bowl and finished ranked in the top 15.
Three players off the defensive unit were selected in the 2018 NFL Draft, including Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year Vita Vea, making 12 in four years for the defensive-side of the ball selected under Kwiatkowski.
In 2016, the Huskies once again topped all Pac-12 defenses, Washington went 12-2, ended the season ranked No. 4, won the Pac-12 Championship and earned a trip to the College Football Playoff in the Peach Bowl. The Huskies led the conference in both total defense (316.9 ypg, 12th nationally) and scoring defense (17.7 points per game, eighth nationally), while also leading all FBS schools in turnover margin (1.29 per game) and takeaways (33). Washington was also first in the conference in first downs allowed and third down conversion defense, while finishing second in red zone defense, rushing defense and sacks. Four Huskies (Elijah Qualls, Azeem Victor, Budda Baker and Sidney Jones) earned first-team All-Pac-12 following the 2016 season. Baker was a consensus All-America safety.
In 2015, his second at Washington, Kwiatkowski took charge of the top defense in the Pac-12 Conference, despite having lost four starters to the NFL Draft after the 2014 season. His unit led the Pac-12 in scoring defense (18.8 points per game) and total defense (351.8 yards per game) and was second in rushing defense (125.3 yards per game) and pass efficiency defense (115.9). The Huskies were also best in the league in opponent first downs and red-zone defense. Washington capped their season with a win in the Heart of Dallas Bowl.
In his first year as a Husky coach, Kwiatkowski helped lead a UW defense that featured three Associate Press first-team All-America selections in Hau’oli Kikaha, Danny Shelton and Shaq Thompson. Washington finished the season second in the nation in sacks, fifth in fumble recoveries, ninth in turnover margin and 26th in takeaways. Additionally, the UW led the NCAA-FBS with seven defensive touchdowns.
Kwiatkowski went to Washington from Boise State, where he completed his fourth season as the Broncos’ defensive coordinator in 2013. He spent 16 seasons overall as a member of the Boise State coaching staff – eight after returning to coach at his alma mater in 2006. He was the defensive line coach prior to being elevated to defensive coordinator in 2010.
As Boise State’s defensive coordinator, the Broncos led the Western Athletic and Mountain West Conferences in total defense and scoring defense in each of his first three seasons and were third and second, respectively, in 2013. Kwiatkowski’s defenses not only excelled within the conference, but ranked among the best nationally.
In his first three seasons of guiding the defense, the Broncos were one of seven teams to rank among the nation’s top 25 in total defense each year. They were second nationally in 2010, 16th in 2011 and 12th in 2012. In that same span, opponents averaged just 297.1 yards per game, making the Broncos one of six teams to allow less than 300 yards per game.
Kwiatkowski-led defenses allowed 18.0 points per game in four seasons. The Broncos ranked second-nationally in scoring defense in 2010 (12.8 ppg), 12th in 2011 (18.7), eighth in 2012 (15.8) and 50th in 2013 (24.8).
Overall his tenure from 2006-13 saw seven Broncos drafted the year after their departures who had played on his defensive line or for his defenses, along with three others in later years, including six total in the first three rounds. Those included DB Brandyn Thompson (7th round/Washington/2011), DE Shea McClellin (1st round/Chicago Bears/2012), DE Tyrone Crawford (3rd round/Dallas Cowboys/2012), S George Iloka (5th round/Cincinnati Bengals/2012), DT Billy Winn (6th round/Cleveland Browns/2012), DB Jamar Taylor (2nd round/Miami Dolphins/2013), DE DeMarcus Lawrence (2nd round/Dallas Cowboys/2014), DE Kamalei Correa (2nd round/Baltimore Ravens/2016), S Darian Thompson (3rd round/New York Giants/2016) and LB Tanner Vallejo (6th round/Buffalo Bills/2017).
In 2010, his debut season as defensive coordinator, the Broncos finished second-nationally in both total defense and scoring defense, allowing just 254.7 yards per game and 12.8 points per game. Boise State also led the nation in sacks (3.7), ranked second in the country in both tackles-for-loss (8.4) and pass efficiency defense (95.2), fourth-nationally in pass defense (150.9) and seventh-nationally in rushing defense (103.8) – leading the WAC in each category. Eight different student-athletes earned All-WAC recognition, five of which garnered first-team accolades.
In 2011, the Broncos’ debut season in the Mountain West, Boise State ranked 12th-nationally in scoring defense (18.7), 16th-nationally in total defense (320.9) and 17th-nationally in rushing defense (110. 0) -leading the league in each category. Following the 2011 season six members of the Broncos’ defensive unit earned all-conference recognition, including each of Kwiatkowski’s four starting defensive linemen.
In 2012, despite losing nine starters, Boise State ranked fifth-nationally in both pass defense (169.5) and pass efficiency defense (101.4), eighth-nationally in scoring defense (15.8), 11th-nationally in sacks (2.9) and 12th-nationally in total defense (315.6). The Broncos ranked fourth nationally forcing 36 turnovers and led the nation with 18 fumble recoveries.
They also picked off 18 passes to rank 12th nationally. The Broncos placed four of their defensive players on the All-MW First Team in 2012, a mark that led the league.
The 2013 Broncos’ squad ranked second in the conference in points allowed (24.8), second in interceptions (16), third in total defense (413.4), third in pass efficiency defense (129.7) and fourth in sacks (30). The Broncos placed two defensive player on the MW first team, including defensive end Demarcus Lawrence, who led the league in sacks per game (0.88) and was 10th nationally with 10.5 overall. He also led the conference in tackles for loss with 20.5 (1.71 per game) and ranked third nationally.
From 2006-09, Kwiatkowski’s served as defensive line coach and helped elevate Boise State to a higher success at the national level, including its first two appearances in the Fiesta Bowl, both of which they won over Oklahoma (2007/2006 season) and TCU (2010/2009 season).
In 2009, Boise State owned one of the nation’s top defenses, ranking in the top 20 and leading the WAC in a number of categories. The Broncos ranked 13th-nationally in pass efficiency defense (103.42), 14th-nationally in both total defense (300.2) and scoring defense (17.1) and 19th-nationally in tackles for loss (19). The Broncos also led the conference in pass defense (179.9).
Nationally, the Broncos finished 2008 ranked No. 2 in pass defense, No. 3 in scoring defense (12.6) and No. 20 in total defense (308.2), and also led the WAC in pass efficiency defense (94.4).
In 2006 the Broncos were nationally-ranked in total defense (12th), scoring defense (25th), sacks (26th) and rushing defense (35th). Nationally in 2006, Boise State was eighth in rushing defense, 14th in total defense, 20th in scoring defense and 28th in sacks.
Prior to returning to Boise State, Kwiatkowski spent six seasons as Montana State’s defensive coordinator. Under Kwiatkowski’s direction, the Bobcats’ defense allowed a league-best 332.2 yards per game in 2005 and led the Big Sky Conference in passing defense, allowing just 165.6 yards per game. The Bobcats gave up only 22.8 points per game to rank second in scoring defense. MSU also led the Big Sky in total defense three other times – in 2001 (358.0), in 2002 (306.8) and in 2003 (298.4).
Montana State qualified for the I-AA playoffs in 2002 and 2003, the team’s first postseason appearances since 1984. The Bobcats also beat in-state rival Montana in three of Kwiatkowski’s last four seasons at the school.
Kwiatkowski began his coaching career as an assistant at Boise State after an All-America and Hall-of-Fame playing career with the Broncos. He coached for eight seasons (1988-96) under three different head coaches in his first stint. He mentored defensive backs, outside linebackers and the defensive line during that time.
Following the 1996 season Kwiatkowski moved to Snow Junior College in Utah, where he was the co-defensive coordinator and line coach for one season. He then coached at Eastern Washington for two seasons.
Kwiatkowski was a standout defensive lineman for the Broncos from 1984-87 and earned four first-team All-America awards in 1987. He was also honorable mention Associated Press All-America in 1986. He was named the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year in 1987, received first-team All-Big Sky honors in 1986 and 1987 and was named all-conference honorable mention as a sophomore in 1985.
Kwiatkowski, who graduated from Boise State in 1990, was inducted into the Boise State Athletic Hall of Fame in 1996. He and his wife Lara have three daughters, Shelby, Riley and Olivia.
