Kurt Anderson (American football)

Last updated

Kurt Anderson
Kurt-anderson.png
Current position
TitleOffensive line coach
Biographical details
Born (1978-08-08) August 8, 1978 (age 46)
Evanston, Illinois, U.S.
Playing career
1997–2001 Michigan
2002 Arizona Cardinals
Position(s) Center
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
2005 Indiana State (OT/TE)
2008 Eastern Michigan (TE)
2009–2012 Eastern Michigan (OL)
2013–2015 Buffalo Bills (OL/asst. OL)
2016–2017 Arkansas (OL)
2018–2023 Northwestern (OL)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships

Kurt Kristoffer Anderson (born August 8, 1978) is an American football coach and former player. His most recent job was offensive line coach with the Northwestern Wildcats, where he has coached two first round draft picks in Rashawn Slater, number thirteen overall in 2021 to the Los Angeles Chargers and Peter Skoronski number eleven overall in 2023 to the Tennessee Titans. He was dismissed by head coach David Braun after the 2023 season. He is the former offensive line coach at the University of Arkansas where he coached Frank Ragnow the number twenty overall pick in 2018 to the Detroit Lions. Anderson played college football at the University of Michigan. After his playing career, Anderson became a professional football coach. He served as the assistant offensive line coach for the Buffalo Bills in the National Football League (NFL). In the 2015 season, Anderson took over head offensive line coaching duties for training camp and the first six weeks of the regular season for the suspended Aaron Kromer. [1]

Contents

High school

Anderson attended Glenbrook South High School in Glenview, Illinois. He was a 1996 Parade All-American linebacker. [2] He earned a full scholarship to University of Michigan.

College career

Anderson was a two-year letterman on the offensive line (2000–2001) [3] for the Wolverines and was the starting center. He received the Hugh R. Rader Jr. Memorial Award [4] as the team's top offensive lineman and was selected All-Big Ten Conference by the conference coaches following the 2001 season. He was a member of the 1997 Michigan Wolverines football team that won the 1998 Rose Bowl, as well as a share of the 1997 national championship. He also played in the 1999 Citrus Bowl, the 2000 Orange Bowl, the 2001 Florida Citrus Bowl, and the 2002 Florida Citrus Bowls. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League in 2002. [5]

Coaching career

In 2005, Anderson was an assistant coach at Indiana State where he worked with the offensive tackles and tight ends. In 2006, Anderson was a defensive quality control coach at The University of Michigan. [6] Anderson spent the 2007 [7] season as a graduate assistant coach for the offensive line. Anderson joined the Eastern Michigan staff on April 2, 2008 [8] as tight ends coach before shifting to the offensive line and run game coordinator in 2009. In 2010, Eastern Michigan finished with 2,080 yards rushing. The Eagles' ground attack was extremely effective during the 2011 campaign, Eastern Michigan rushed for 2,620 yards and 16 touchdowns on 575 carries for the 14th-best ground attack in the nation. A record two-year combined total of 4,700 yards for Eastern Michigan. On January 28, 2013, Anderson joined the Buffalo Bills staff as an offensive quality control coach. [9] On January 26, 2015, it was announced that Anderson was retained and promoted to assistant offensive line coach, by newly named head coach Rex Ryan. [10] In 2015, Anderson coached the Buffalo Bills offensive line that paved the way to 2,432 yards rushing, 152 yards rushing per game, 4.8 yards per attempt, and 19 rushing touchdowns; all marks were best in the NFL on the season. [11] On January 9, 2016, Anderson was introduced as the offensive line coach at the University of Arkansas by head coach Bret Bielema. [12] [13] Anderson developed Frank Ragnow, All-American and 20th Overall draft pick in the 2017 NFL draft. Ragnow is the highest paid center in the NFL. Others NFL lineman developed at Arkansas, are Hjalte Froholdt and Dan Skipper. In 2018, Anderson joined the Northwestern University Wildcats as a quality control assistant and was hired as the offensive line coach the following season. He helped lead the Wildcats to Big Ten West Championships in 2018 and 2020. He developed current Los Angeles Chargers Offensive Tackle Rashawn Slater, the 13th overall draft pick in 2020. Slater was a Pro Bowl performer as well as All- Pro in his rookie season. He also coached Peter Skoronski, who went to the Tennessee Titans with the 11th overall pick in the 2023 draft. Anderson coached the first five years of his career under head coach Pat Fitzgerald, who was fired in July 2023 in the wake of a hazing scandal within the program. Anderson coached the 2023 season under new head coach David Braun but was fired shortly after the end of the season.

Family

Anderson is married with five children, wife Jennifer and sons Hawken and Torin,daughter Dagny and twins Odin and Raina. His grandfather, Bob Nowaskey, played for the Chicago Bears of the NFL and the Baltimore Colts and Los Angeles Dons of the All-America Football Conference (AAFC). [14] His father, Donald Anderson, played college football at Northwestern University and in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints. [15] Kurt's older brother, Erick Anderson, is a fellow Michigan alumnus who won the Butkus Award in 1991 playing linebacker for the Wolverines and played in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs and the Washington Football Team. Another older brother, Lars, played football at Indiana University Bloomington.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ottis Anderson</span> American football player (born 1957)

Ottis Jerome Anderson is an American former football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Giants. He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes, where he set the school record for rushing yards, and was selected eighth overall in the 1979 NFL draft by the Cardinals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ken Dorsey</span> American football player and coach (born 1981)

Kenneth Simon Dorsey is an American football coach and former quarterback who is the offensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes, where he won the national championship and the Maxwell Award in 2001. He was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the seventh round of the 2003 NFL draft, later playing for the Cleveland Browns and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL), before retiring in 2010.

"The Greatest Show on Turf" was a nickname for the high-flying offense of the St. Louis Rams during the 1999, 2000, and 2001 National Football League (NFL) seasons. The offense was designed by attack-oriented offensive coordinator and head coach Mike Martz who mixed an aerial attack and a run offense in an Air Coryell-style offense. The Rams' offense during these three seasons produced record scoring and yardage, three NFL MVP honors, and two Super Bowl appearances and one championship. In 2000, the team set an NFL record with 7,335 total offensive yards. Of those, 5,492 were passing yards, also an NFL team record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Randy Shannon</span> American football player and coach (born 1966)

Randy Leonard Shannon is an American football coach and former player. He is the linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator for Florida State. Shannon was the head coach at the University of Miami from 2007 to 2010 and has served as an assistant coach for the National Football League (NFL)'s Miami Dolphins and several college teams, including stints as the defensive coordinator for the Miami Hurricanes, the Florida Gators, and the UCF Knights. He won the Frank Broyles Award as the nation's top collegiate assistant coach while at Miami in 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jon Jansen</span> American football player (born 1976)

Jonathan Ward Jansen is an American former professional football player who was an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines, and was selected by the Washington Redskins in the second round of the 1999 NFL draft. He also played briefly for the Detroit Lions.

Gregory Paul Landry is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) from 1968 to 1981, and again in 1984. He played for the Detroit Lions, Baltimore Colts and Chicago Bears. He played college football at Massachusetts from 1965–1967. He became an assistant coach after his playing career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric Bieniemy</span> American football player and coach (born 1969)

Eric Bieniemy Jr. is an American football coach and former running back who is the associate head coach and offensive coordinator for the UCLA Bruins. He played college football for the Colorado Buffaloes and is their all-time leader in rushing yards (3,940) and touchdowns (42). Bieniemy was also named a unanimous All-American and finished third in Heisman Trophy voting during their national championship season in 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Russ Grimm</span> American football player and coach (born 1959)

Russell Scott Grimm is an American former professional football player who was a guard for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL). He has also served as an assistant coach for the Redskins, Pittsburgh Steelers, Arizona Cardinals, and Tennessee Titans. As a professional, Grimm had multiple selections to both the All-Pro and Pro Bowl teams, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010. Grimm played 11 seasons for the Redskins and was a first-team selection to the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gus Malzahn</span> American football player and coach (born 1965)

Arthur Gustavo Malzahn III is an American football coach. He is currently the head coach at the University of Central Florida (UCF). He was the head football coach at Auburn University from 2013 to 2020. He helped lead the 2010 Auburn Tigers to a national championship. As head coach at Auburn, he led the team to a SEC Championship win and an appearance in the 2014 national championship. Malzahn has coached Heisman winner Cam Newton and two Heisman finalists: Nick Marshall and Tre Mason, including coaching 14 All-Americans. During Malzahn's tenure at Auburn, he was the second-longest tenured head coach at one school in the SEC, behind Nick Saban. Out of active head coaches, Malzahn also holds the best record against coach Saban.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pat Shurmur</span> American football player and coach (born 1965)

Patrick Carl Shurmur is an American football coach who serves as the offensive coordinator at the University of Colorado Boulder. Prior to joining the staff at Colorado, he most recently served as the offensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL) from 2020 to 2021. A 32-year coaching veteran, Shurmur has 21 seasons of NFL experience, including the last 11 years as a head coach or offensive coordinator. Shurmur has four years of experience as a head coach, working in that role with the New York Giants from 2018 to 2019 and with the Cleveland Browns from 2011 to 2012. He also served as interim head coach for Philadelphia Eagles at the end of the 2015 season. He has been an offensive coordinator for seven seasons, previously coaching in that role with the Minnesota Vikings (2016–2017), Philadelphia Eagles (2013–2015) and the St. Louis Rams (2009–2010).

Larry Porter is an American college football coach. He currently serves as special teams coordinator and running backs coach and at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Porter is a former head coach of the Memphis Tigers football team. He was named to the position on November 29, 2009, replacing Tommy West. A former running back for the school when it was known as Memphis State University, Porter was formerly an assistant head coach, chief recruiter, and running backs coach at Louisiana State University under Les Miles. On November 27, 2011, Porter was fired after completing a 2–10 season with only having won three games during his two-year tenure.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dan Enos</span> American football player and coach (born 1968)

Daniel Patrick Enos is an American football coach and former player who is the offensive analyst at the University of Florida. He was previously the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at the University of Arkansas. He was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at the University of Miami in 2019. Enos served as head football coach at Central Michigan University from 2010 to 2014. He was also running backs coach at Michigan State University, where he played as a quarterback from 1987 to 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Miami Dolphins season</span> 47th season in franchise history

The 2012 Miami Dolphins season was the franchise's 43rd season in the National Football League (NFL), and the 47th overall in the American Football Conference Eastern Division. The season concluded with the Dolphins finishing second in the AFC Eastern Division with a 7–9 record, and no postseason play for the fourth consecutive season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jedd Fisch</span> American football coach (born 1976)

Jedd Ari Fisch is an American football coach, currently the head coach at the University of Washington. He was previously the head coach at the University of Arizona for three seasons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laremy Tunsil</span> American football player (born 1994)

Laremy Alexander Tunsil is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Ole Miss.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Conklin</span> American football player (born 1994)

Jonathan Jackson Conklin is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Michigan State.

Michael Christianson is an American football college and professional coach. Christianson most recently served as the assistant running backs coach and the Director of Technology for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL) in 2011 thru 2013 which featured a Super Bowl appearance against the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII (47). Prior to his tenure with the 49ers, Christianson also served on University of Michigan Head Coach Jim Harbaugh's staff at the University of San Diego (USD) where the Toreros of the Pioneer Football League won a Division I-AA Mid-Major National title in 2006. He has worked as a football coach at several other National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) institutions, including The University of Nebraska, Montana State University and Portland State University. Christianson coached the offensive line in 2002-2003 as a member of Jon Gruden's staff and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, winning Super Bowl XXXVII (37). Christianson played tight-end and offensive lineman at Western Oregon University.

Frank Ragnow is an American professional football center for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks, and was selected by the Lions in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft.

Paul Alexander is an American football coach. He was the offensive line coach of the Cincinnati Bengals from 1994 to 2017. He also served as an assistant coach for the New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys. In March 2019 he decided to join the Potsdam Royals as an offensive line consultant. Since March 2023 he is the headcoach of the Dresden Monarchs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sam Pittman</span> American football player and coach (born 1961)

Sam Pittman is an American football coach who is the head football coach at the University of Arkansas. Prior to being hired at Arkansas, he was the associate head coach and offensive line coach at the University of Georgia. Prior to his hiring at Arkansas, Pittman spent almost his entire career, going back to the mid-1990s, as an offensive line coach at various college football programs. He also became known as one of the country's top recruiters.

References

  1. "Coach Kurt Anderson to take back seat for Bills with Aaron Kromer returning from suspension". syracuse.com. October 21, 2015. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  2. "Kurt Anderson, Lb, Glenbrook South: Michigan". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  3. "Michigan Football Lettermen (A through K)". mgoblue.com. Archived from the original on May 4, 2017. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  4. http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/050609a%7Cac.html
  5. "FANTASY News, Photos, Videos, Stats, Standings, Odds and More – USA TODAY". kffl.com. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  6. "2006 Football Team – University of Michigan Athletics". umich.edu. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  7. "2007 Football Team – University of Michigan Athletics". umich.edu. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  8. "Kurt Anderson Named EMU Football Assistant". emueagles.com. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  9. "Bills announce offensive quality control coaches". buffalobills.com. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  10. "Bills hire six new assistant coaches, retain four". buffalobills.com. Archived from the original on October 8, 2017. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  11. "2016 NFL Team Rushing Stats – National Football League – ESPN". go.com. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  12. Patrick, Pierson (January 9, 2016). "Bielema Goes Pro For Offensive Line Coach". arkansasrazorbacks.com. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  13. "Bills lose assistant offensive line coach Kurt Anderson to college ranks – BN Blitz". Archived from the original on January 12, 2016. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
  14. "Bob Nowaskey". nfl.com. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  15. "Anderson Crosses Familiar Familial Lines". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved April 4, 2017.