Temple University Athletics
Keeler Unveils New Defensive Staff
1.15.25 | Football
PHILADELPHIA – Temple head coach K.C. Keeler introduced his defensive staff led by 20-year college and NFL veteran coach Brian L. Smith as defensive coordinator. Joining Smith is pass game coordinator and cornerbacks coach Henry Baker, defensive line coach Cedric Calhoun, linebackers coach Keith Dudzinski, outside linebackers coach Chris Raitano, and defensive analyst Jordan Hopkins.
Overall, the staff has close to 100 years of coaching experience; all have spent some time in the Northeast; some common denominators include Delaware, UMass and Rice; and Smith and Calhoun spent some of their early years with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Brian L. Smith, Defensive Coordinator
Brian L. Smith comes to Philadelphia after spending the past seven seasons leading Rice's defense. During his time at Rice he coached both the safeties (2018-20, 23-24) and linebackers (2021-22).
Smith's 2024 defense returned nine starters from a 2023 unit that held opponents to 28.1 points and 364.7 yards per game, the lowest totals since 2013 (24.4/364.1) and put together an even more impressive effort in 2024.
He was nominated for the Broyles Award in 2024 after his defense finished the regular season ranked ninth in passing defense, holding opponents to 173.8 yards per game - the lowest at Rice since 1986 - and a 55.4 completion percentage (lowest since 2013). Rice ranked 36th in total defense, it's best ranking since 2013 (30th) and held opponents to an average of 5.04 yards per play, the lowest since 1975 (5.03). The Owls' defense held opponents to 334.4 yards per game, the lowest since they allowed 313.7 in 1994 and to 4.09 yards per carry, their lowest since 2002 (3.77) while the scoring defense allowed just 25.4 points per game, the lowest average since 1989 (23.3).
Smith's 2020 defenders put together one of the most notable efforts for the Owls since they joined Conference USA. They ranked third in total defense in C-USA and 26th nationally (341.6 per game), their best finish since joining the league in 2005 and the lowest by a Rice defense since 1999 (338.6).
It marked the third time in his first three seasons the Owls improved their average, from 446.1 in 2018 to 380.3 in 2019 and 341.2 last season. They ranked 40th nationally by allowing only 140.8 yards per game on the ground, their best since finishing 40th in 1999. After allowing 40 points in a double-overtime loss to Middle Tennessee to open the season, the Owls held the top three scoring offenses in C-USA (UNT, 34.4; Marshall 28.5; UAB 28.4) to a combined 48 points and allowed an average of 13.5 in final four games of the season. They allowed an average of just 18.9 points per game, the lowest allowed by Rice since the 1994 Owls gave up just 18.5 points (203 in 11 games).
His first Rice defense featured nine first-time starters and closed the year with four freshmen and a JUCO transfer in the starting lineup. Smith saw his youthful team hold its last three opponents (LA Tech, LSU & ODU) to an average of 122 yards on the ground and 3.9 yards per carry. Three of the Owls' four top tacklers were first-time starters (George Nyakwol, 67; Blaze Alldredge 65 and Treshawn Chamberlain 50) while another true freshman starter (Prudy Calderon) led all C-USA freshmen with four interceptions. The Owls also held UTSA to 178 yards (lowest total by an Owl defense since they limited Tulane to just 123 in 2013) and 43 yards through the air, the fewest yards passing allowed by the Owls since they joined C-USA in 2005.
Prior to Rice, Smith spent two seasons at Michigan (2017-18), where his defensive backs were part of an overall defensive unit that ranked among the nation's best each year. Following the 2017 season, Michigan ranked third in the country in total defense (288.8 yards per game) despite losing 10 starters from the 2016 team that ranked fist and saw seven of the 10 starters selected in the NFL Draft.
The Wolverines led the nation in pass defense, surrendering just 142.7 yards per game through the air. Both of the safeties Smith worked with in 2017 (Tyree Kinnel and Josh Metellus) were named All-Big Ten honorable mention by both the coaches and media.
In his first year working with the U-M safeties, Smith coached Delano Hill and Dymonte Thomas to career-best seasons which culminated in All-Big Ten honors for both players. Thomas had a career-best 70 stops, with 10 pass breakups, one fumble recovery and his first career interception, while Hill contributed a career-best 52 tackles, including 4.5 for loss, adding six pass breakups and three interceptions.
As a whole, the secondary was part of an elite defensive unit which led or ranked second in the NCAA in seven defensive categories, including pass defense, pass efficiency defense, first and third down conversions allowed and scoring defense. Nearly 45 percent (44.5; 5.62 per game) of opponents' possessions ended in a three-and-out, and U-M allowed just 28 red zone trips all season, fewest in the nation. Michigan's defensive backs defended 68 passes, with 13 interceptions and three pick-sixes, including one from Hill while the unit allowed only 11 passing touchdowns all season. The defense led the Big Ten in eight categories, including total scoring defense, pass defense, pass defense efficiency, third down conversions allowed and red zone defense, permitting a 43.6 completion percentage on average for opposing quarterbacks.
Smith joined Michigan's staff after spending the 2015 season with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he served as the team's assistant linebackers coach.
Prior to joining the Eagles staff, Smith spent eight seasons with the New York Jets (2007-14). He worked with the defensive secondary for the Jets during the 2013-14 seasons, mentoring first-round pick Dee Milliner, who earned NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month honors in December. Smith started his tenure with the Jets as a quality control/offensive coach in 2007 and held various coaching positions with the franchise.
Smith began his coaching career at his alma mater, the University of Massachusetts, where he worked with Don Brown. Smith coached the outside linebackers in 2004 and switched over to the offensive side of the ball in 2005, mentoring the wide receivers and coaching New York Giants All-Pro and Pro Bowl receiver Victor Cruz.
Smith was a four-year letterman and three-year starter in the secondary for the Minutemen and was a member of the program's 1998 NCAA Division I-AA national championship team. Smith registered 306 stops, 23 tackles for loss, 23 pass breakups and eight interceptions during his career. He earned All-Atlantic 10, All-New England and All-ECAC honors as a senior in 2000.
Smith graduated with a bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of Massachusetts in 2001. A native of Wilmington, Delaware, Smith was a three-time Atlantic 10 and CoSIDA Academic All-District selection and was twice named to the Division I-AA Athletic Directors Academic All-Star team.
Henry Baker, Pass Game Coordinator/Cornerbacks
Cedric Calhoun, Defensive Line
Keith Dudzinski, Linebackers
Keith Dudzinski spent the last three seasons at UMass as its defensive coordinator. He coached alongside Smith, at UMass from 2004-05.
Dudzinski made his way back to UMass in 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 LB Jalen Mackie, CB Jordan Mahoney , DE Marcus Cushnie, SAF Tyler Rudolph 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 defensive tackle Billy Wooden, defensive end J.B. Brown, and safety Tyler Rudolph.
Prior to returning to UMass, Jedd Fisch announced the addition of Dudzinski to his first staff at Arizona in 2021. Dudzinski served as Arizona's linebackers coach, while also assisting the program's special teams unit. He spent the 2020 season as a defensive analyst 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. That season they reached the FCS Quarter Finals.
Dudzinski served as a member of Maryland's defensive staff from 2011-2015 and helped lead the Terrapins to one of their best defensive seasons in the ACC. The 2013 Terps finished top three in the conference in total defense, passing defense and rushing defense.
Dudzinski had two prior stints with UMass in 1998-01 and again from 2004-11. During those times the Minutemen won the 1998 I-AA National Championship and won the a Conference Championship in 1999, 2006, and 2007. He 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 and Elizabeth, and a son, Jack, who was a member of UAlbany's offensive line from 2014 to 2018.
Chris Raitano, Outside Linebackers
Chris Raitano first worked with Smith at Rice from 2019-22.
The Hazlet, N.J., native had two coaching stints at Monmouth, his alma mater. He served as the linebacker coach in 2024 and previously spent four seasons on the sidelines at Monmouth, including three as the defensive line coach and video coordinator from 2016-18. Raitano spent the 2015 season as a defensive quality control assistant with the Hawks. During his time at Monmouth he mentored Darnell Leslie and Manny Maragoto who both finished in the Top 10 in sacks in school history. Leslie went on to play in the NFL for the Cowboys and Steelers.
During the 2023 season, Raitano coached the defensive line at Stetson University. With the Hatters, Raitano also assisted special teams and was responsible for recruiting student-athletes from South Florida, Houston, Texas and the Northeast.
Raitano also coached four seasons at Rice University from 2019-22 season. His first two seasons at Rice, Raitano was a graduate assistant on the defensive line before being elevated to working with outside linebackers as the defensive quality control coordinator.
Raitano played linebacker at Raritan High School and graduated from Monmouth in 2014.
Jordan Hopkins, Defensive Analyst
Jordan Hopkins joined the Temple Football staff as the defensive analyst in April, 2023. He was retained by new head coach K.C. Keeler when Keeler overhauled the staff in 2025.
Hopkins came to Temple from Northwestern State where he was the defensive line coach. Prior to Northwestern State, he was a defensive graduate assistant at four schools (Tulane, UTEP, Louisiana-Monroe, and Lamar).
Hopkins graduated from Western Governors University in 2018 with a degree in special education, as well as a degree in ed
Overall, the staff has close to 100 years of coaching experience; all have spent some time in the Northeast; some common denominators include Delaware, UMass and Rice; and Smith and Calhoun spent some of their early years with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Brian L. Smith, Defensive Coordinator
Brian L. Smith comes to Philadelphia after spending the past seven seasons leading Rice's defense. During his time at Rice he coached both the safeties (2018-20, 23-24) and linebackers (2021-22).
Smith's 2024 defense returned nine starters from a 2023 unit that held opponents to 28.1 points and 364.7 yards per game, the lowest totals since 2013 (24.4/364.1) and put together an even more impressive effort in 2024.
He was nominated for the Broyles Award in 2024 after his defense finished the regular season ranked ninth in passing defense, holding opponents to 173.8 yards per game - the lowest at Rice since 1986 - and a 55.4 completion percentage (lowest since 2013). Rice ranked 36th in total defense, it's best ranking since 2013 (30th) and held opponents to an average of 5.04 yards per play, the lowest since 1975 (5.03). The Owls' defense held opponents to 334.4 yards per game, the lowest since they allowed 313.7 in 1994 and to 4.09 yards per carry, their lowest since 2002 (3.77) while the scoring defense allowed just 25.4 points per game, the lowest average since 1989 (23.3).
Smith's 2020 defenders put together one of the most notable efforts for the Owls since they joined Conference USA. They ranked third in total defense in C-USA and 26th nationally (341.6 per game), their best finish since joining the league in 2005 and the lowest by a Rice defense since 1999 (338.6).
It marked the third time in his first three seasons the Owls improved their average, from 446.1 in 2018 to 380.3 in 2019 and 341.2 last season. They ranked 40th nationally by allowing only 140.8 yards per game on the ground, their best since finishing 40th in 1999. After allowing 40 points in a double-overtime loss to Middle Tennessee to open the season, the Owls held the top three scoring offenses in C-USA (UNT, 34.4; Marshall 28.5; UAB 28.4) to a combined 48 points and allowed an average of 13.5 in final four games of the season. They allowed an average of just 18.9 points per game, the lowest allowed by Rice since the 1994 Owls gave up just 18.5 points (203 in 11 games).
His first Rice defense featured nine first-time starters and closed the year with four freshmen and a JUCO transfer in the starting lineup. Smith saw his youthful team hold its last three opponents (LA Tech, LSU & ODU) to an average of 122 yards on the ground and 3.9 yards per carry. Three of the Owls' four top tacklers were first-time starters (George Nyakwol, 67; Blaze Alldredge 65 and Treshawn Chamberlain 50) while another true freshman starter (Prudy Calderon) led all C-USA freshmen with four interceptions. The Owls also held UTSA to 178 yards (lowest total by an Owl defense since they limited Tulane to just 123 in 2013) and 43 yards through the air, the fewest yards passing allowed by the Owls since they joined C-USA in 2005.
Prior to Rice, Smith spent two seasons at Michigan (2017-18), where his defensive backs were part of an overall defensive unit that ranked among the nation's best each year. Following the 2017 season, Michigan ranked third in the country in total defense (288.8 yards per game) despite losing 10 starters from the 2016 team that ranked fist and saw seven of the 10 starters selected in the NFL Draft.
The Wolverines led the nation in pass defense, surrendering just 142.7 yards per game through the air. Both of the safeties Smith worked with in 2017 (Tyree Kinnel and Josh Metellus) were named All-Big Ten honorable mention by both the coaches and media.
In his first year working with the U-M safeties, Smith coached Delano Hill and Dymonte Thomas to career-best seasons which culminated in All-Big Ten honors for both players. Thomas had a career-best 70 stops, with 10 pass breakups, one fumble recovery and his first career interception, while Hill contributed a career-best 52 tackles, including 4.5 for loss, adding six pass breakups and three interceptions.
As a whole, the secondary was part of an elite defensive unit which led or ranked second in the NCAA in seven defensive categories, including pass defense, pass efficiency defense, first and third down conversions allowed and scoring defense. Nearly 45 percent (44.5; 5.62 per game) of opponents' possessions ended in a three-and-out, and U-M allowed just 28 red zone trips all season, fewest in the nation. Michigan's defensive backs defended 68 passes, with 13 interceptions and three pick-sixes, including one from Hill while the unit allowed only 11 passing touchdowns all season. The defense led the Big Ten in eight categories, including total scoring defense, pass defense, pass defense efficiency, third down conversions allowed and red zone defense, permitting a 43.6 completion percentage on average for opposing quarterbacks.
Smith joined Michigan's staff after spending the 2015 season with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he served as the team's assistant linebackers coach.
Prior to joining the Eagles staff, Smith spent eight seasons with the New York Jets (2007-14). He worked with the defensive secondary for the Jets during the 2013-14 seasons, mentoring first-round pick Dee Milliner, who earned NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month honors in December. Smith started his tenure with the Jets as a quality control/offensive coach in 2007 and held various coaching positions with the franchise.
Smith began his coaching career at his alma mater, the University of Massachusetts, where he worked with Don Brown. Smith coached the outside linebackers in 2004 and switched over to the offensive side of the ball in 2005, mentoring the wide receivers and coaching New York Giants All-Pro and Pro Bowl receiver Victor Cruz.
Smith was a four-year letterman and three-year starter in the secondary for the Minutemen and was a member of the program's 1998 NCAA Division I-AA national championship team. Smith registered 306 stops, 23 tackles for loss, 23 pass breakups and eight interceptions during his career. He earned All-Atlantic 10, All-New England and All-ECAC honors as a senior in 2000.
Smith graduated with a bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of Massachusetts in 2001. A native of Wilmington, Delaware, Smith was a three-time Atlantic 10 and CoSIDA Academic All-District selection and was twice named to the Division I-AA Athletic Directors Academic All-Star team.
Henry Baker, Pass Game Coordinator/Cornerbacks
Henry Baker arrived at Temple following one season at Marshall. In that one season with the Thundering Herd, he helped them to a Sun Belt Conference title as the school's co-defensive coordinator and cornerbacks' coach.
Baker came to Marshall after helping to build Maryland's secondary into an elite unit. The 2023 team finished ranked No. 3 in the nation in interceptions – a category they also led the Big Ten in – while also ranking No. 12 in FBS in pass efficiency defense.
The Paterson, N.J. native, developed several NFL players during his time with the Terps, including cornerback Tarheeb Still, who finished No. 3 in the nation in interceptions in 2023 and was selected in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Chargers.
Baker also had a pair of former Maryland cornerbacks selected in the 2023 NFL Draft – first round pick Deonte Banks, who went to the New York Giants, and fourth round selection, Jakorian Bennett, who was taken by the Las Vegas Raiders.
In his first season at Maryland in 2020, Baker helped the defense to a No. 13 national ranking in pass efficiency defense and No. 25 rank in passing yards allowed while lowering the passing yards allowed per game more than 70 yards from the previous season. Still and Nick Cross earned All-Big Ten honors in that season while Still was also named a Freshman All-American.
The success continued in 2021 when CB Bennett led the Power 5 in pass breakups and also earned All-Big Ten honors.
Prior to the return to his alma mater, Baker spent the 2019 season with the New York Giants as the assistant defensive backs coach. That stint in the NFL came after one-year stints as the cornerbacks coach at North Carolina (2018) and Rutgers (2017).
From 2011-16, Baker was the cornerbacks coach at the University of Delaware. During his final two years, the Blue Hens were nationally-ranked in passing yards allowed, interceptions and scoring defense.
During his time at Delaware, Baker also took part in the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship – a program geared toward using NFL training camps and offseason workout programs as a tool to give talented coaches the chance to observe and participate with NFL teams to gain experience that will help them enhance their coaching careers. Baker was a selection for the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship in three years during his time at Delaware, spending summers with the Miami Dolphins (2013), Detroit Lions (2015) and the New York Giants (2016), who later hired him as an assistant.
During his playing career, Baker was a four-time letterwinner and two-year starter at Maryland from 1994-97. Baker went on to play for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2003 and also spent several years in the Arena Football League.
Baker has three children Reina, Kaila, and Khloe.
Baker came to Marshall after helping to build Maryland's secondary into an elite unit. The 2023 team finished ranked No. 3 in the nation in interceptions – a category they also led the Big Ten in – while also ranking No. 12 in FBS in pass efficiency defense.
The Paterson, N.J. native, developed several NFL players during his time with the Terps, including cornerback Tarheeb Still, who finished No. 3 in the nation in interceptions in 2023 and was selected in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Chargers.
Baker also had a pair of former Maryland cornerbacks selected in the 2023 NFL Draft – first round pick Deonte Banks, who went to the New York Giants, and fourth round selection, Jakorian Bennett, who was taken by the Las Vegas Raiders.
In his first season at Maryland in 2020, Baker helped the defense to a No. 13 national ranking in pass efficiency defense and No. 25 rank in passing yards allowed while lowering the passing yards allowed per game more than 70 yards from the previous season. Still and Nick Cross earned All-Big Ten honors in that season while Still was also named a Freshman All-American.
The success continued in 2021 when CB Bennett led the Power 5 in pass breakups and also earned All-Big Ten honors.
Prior to the return to his alma mater, Baker spent the 2019 season with the New York Giants as the assistant defensive backs coach. That stint in the NFL came after one-year stints as the cornerbacks coach at North Carolina (2018) and Rutgers (2017).
From 2011-16, Baker was the cornerbacks coach at the University of Delaware. During his final two years, the Blue Hens were nationally-ranked in passing yards allowed, interceptions and scoring defense.
During his time at Delaware, Baker also took part in the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship – a program geared toward using NFL training camps and offseason workout programs as a tool to give talented coaches the chance to observe and participate with NFL teams to gain experience that will help them enhance their coaching careers. Baker was a selection for the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship in three years during his time at Delaware, spending summers with the Miami Dolphins (2013), Detroit Lions (2015) and the New York Giants (2016), who later hired him as an assistant.
During his playing career, Baker was a four-time letterwinner and two-year starter at Maryland from 1994-97. Baker went on to play for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2003 and also spent several years in the Arena Football League.
Baker has three children Reina, Kaila, and Khloe.
Cedric Calhoun, Defensive Line
Cedric Calhoun spent the previous seven seasons with Smith at Rice. Over his seven seasons at Rice, Calhoun's line was a consistent force for the Owls, both in their performance on the field as well as in their leadership. He sent two of his players (Myles Adams and Elijah Garcia) to the NFL while five of his linemen were named a team captain, including three who were named for multiple seasons (Izeya Floyd, 2023-24; Josh Pearcy, 2022-24; Trey Schuman, 2021-22).
In 2024, the members of his front wall combined for 17 of the Owls' 33 sacks, which tied for 24th nationally at the end of the regular season, were the most at Rice since the 2014 Owls set a school record with 39, and tied for the third-most at Rice since 2000.
A former assistant at Florida International University, Dartmouth College, and Alabama A&M University, Calhoun came to Rice after spending four years at Vanderbilt, the last two as a defensive quality control coach. He joined the Commodores staff in 2014 as a strength & conditioning assistant.
Calhoun returned to collegiate athletics with the Commodores in 2014 after a year assisting children with autism at the Piedmont School of Atlanta.
He served as FIU's defensive line coach under Mario Cristobal at FIU from 2010-12, helping the Panthers to the 2010 Sun Belt Conference title and their first two postseason appearances in school history, the 2010 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl and 2011 Beef `O' Brady's Bowl. Calhoun developed Tourek Williams, a 2013 sixth round NFL draft pick (San Diego).
Before joining FIU, Calhoun coached four seasons at Dartmouth, working with the Big Green defensive line in 2006 and linebackers from 2007-09. From 2002-05, Calhoun served as defensive line coach at Alabama A&M. He helped fashion a unit that led the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) in total defense and sacks for four straight seasons. Eight of his players won All-SWAC honors, contributing to a 32-15 overall record.
During his time at Alabama A&M, Calhoun developed defensive end Robert Mathis into the 2002 SWAC Defensive Player of the Year before embarking on a standout NFL career. In 13 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, Mathis earned the 2013 AFC Defensive Player of the Year (while leading the league in sacks), was twice named All-Pro, and was also named to the Pro Bowl six times.
He also coached FIU defensive end Tourek Williams, who was selected in the sixth round of the 2013 draft by the San Diego Chargers and played a total of 45 games in his four-year career.
Calhoun was an all-conference defensive end at Grossmont (Calif.) Community College, and received his degree in health and physical education from Morehouse (Ga.) College in 1995.
He began his coaching career at Idaho State University in 1997, serving as the head strength and conditioning coach while assisting the defensive line coach. He returned to Morehouse in 1998, spending four seasons as defensive line coach. During the summers of 2003 and 2004, Calhoun held a defensive line internship with the San Diego Chargers through the NFL's Minority Internship Program. In 2008, he was an intern with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Calhoun and his wife, Shola, have two daughters, Olusade and Adejola.
In 2024, the members of his front wall combined for 17 of the Owls' 33 sacks, which tied for 24th nationally at the end of the regular season, were the most at Rice since the 2014 Owls set a school record with 39, and tied for the third-most at Rice since 2000.
A former assistant at Florida International University, Dartmouth College, and Alabama A&M University, Calhoun came to Rice after spending four years at Vanderbilt, the last two as a defensive quality control coach. He joined the Commodores staff in 2014 as a strength & conditioning assistant.
Calhoun returned to collegiate athletics with the Commodores in 2014 after a year assisting children with autism at the Piedmont School of Atlanta.
He served as FIU's defensive line coach under Mario Cristobal at FIU from 2010-12, helping the Panthers to the 2010 Sun Belt Conference title and their first two postseason appearances in school history, the 2010 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl and 2011 Beef `O' Brady's Bowl. Calhoun developed Tourek Williams, a 2013 sixth round NFL draft pick (San Diego).
Before joining FIU, Calhoun coached four seasons at Dartmouth, working with the Big Green defensive line in 2006 and linebackers from 2007-09. From 2002-05, Calhoun served as defensive line coach at Alabama A&M. He helped fashion a unit that led the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) in total defense and sacks for four straight seasons. Eight of his players won All-SWAC honors, contributing to a 32-15 overall record.
During his time at Alabama A&M, Calhoun developed defensive end Robert Mathis into the 2002 SWAC Defensive Player of the Year before embarking on a standout NFL career. In 13 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, Mathis earned the 2013 AFC Defensive Player of the Year (while leading the league in sacks), was twice named All-Pro, and was also named to the Pro Bowl six times.
He also coached FIU defensive end Tourek Williams, who was selected in the sixth round of the 2013 draft by the San Diego Chargers and played a total of 45 games in his four-year career.
Calhoun was an all-conference defensive end at Grossmont (Calif.) Community College, and received his degree in health and physical education from Morehouse (Ga.) College in 1995.
He began his coaching career at Idaho State University in 1997, serving as the head strength and conditioning coach while assisting the defensive line coach. He returned to Morehouse in 1998, spending four seasons as defensive line coach. During the summers of 2003 and 2004, Calhoun held a defensive line internship with the San Diego Chargers through the NFL's Minority Internship Program. In 2008, he was an intern with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Calhoun and his wife, Shola, have two daughters, Olusade and Adejola.
Keith Dudzinski, Linebackers
Keith Dudzinski spent the last three seasons at UMass as its defensive coordinator. He coached alongside Smith, at UMass from 2004-05.
Dudzinski made his way back to UMass in 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 LB Jalen Mackie, CB Jordan Mahoney , DE Marcus Cushnie, SAF Tyler Rudolph 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 defensive tackle Billy Wooden, defensive end J.B. Brown, and safety Tyler Rudolph.
Prior to returning to UMass, Jedd Fisch announced the addition of Dudzinski to his first staff at Arizona in 2021. Dudzinski served as Arizona's linebackers coach, while also assisting the program's special teams unit. He spent the 2020 season as a defensive analyst 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. That season they reached the FCS Quarter Finals.
Dudzinski served as a member of Maryland's defensive staff from 2011-2015 and helped lead the Terrapins to one of their best defensive seasons in the ACC. The 2013 Terps finished top three in the conference in total defense, passing defense and rushing defense.
Dudzinski had two prior stints with UMass in 1998-01 and again from 2004-11. During those times the Minutemen won the 1998 I-AA National Championship and won the a Conference Championship in 1999, 2006, and 2007. He 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 and Elizabeth, and a son, Jack, who was a member of UAlbany's offensive line from 2014 to 2018.
Chris Raitano, Outside Linebackers
Chris Raitano first worked with Smith at Rice from 2019-22.
The Hazlet, N.J., native had two coaching stints at Monmouth, his alma mater. He served as the linebacker coach in 2024 and previously spent four seasons on the sidelines at Monmouth, including three as the defensive line coach and video coordinator from 2016-18. Raitano spent the 2015 season as a defensive quality control assistant with the Hawks. During his time at Monmouth he mentored Darnell Leslie and Manny Maragoto who both finished in the Top 10 in sacks in school history. Leslie went on to play in the NFL for the Cowboys and Steelers.
During the 2023 season, Raitano coached the defensive line at Stetson University. With the Hatters, Raitano also assisted special teams and was responsible for recruiting student-athletes from South Florida, Houston, Texas and the Northeast.
Raitano also coached four seasons at Rice University from 2019-22 season. His first two seasons at Rice, Raitano was a graduate assistant on the defensive line before being elevated to working with outside linebackers as the defensive quality control coordinator.
Raitano played linebacker at Raritan High School and graduated from Monmouth in 2014.
Jordan Hopkins, Defensive Analyst
Jordan Hopkins joined the Temple Football staff as the defensive analyst in April, 2023. He was retained by new head coach K.C. Keeler when Keeler overhauled the staff in 2025.
Hopkins came to Temple from Northwestern State where he was the defensive line coach. Prior to Northwestern State, he was a defensive graduate assistant at four schools (Tulane, UTEP, Louisiana-Monroe, and Lamar).
Hopkins graduated from Western Governors University in 2018 with a degree in special education, as well as a degree in ed
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