Art Kaufman has a track record of immediate turnarounds, but his new job will put that to the test. Kaufman has been hired as the defensive coordinator at California, tasked with improving the worst defense in school history.
The addition of Kaufman was first reported by Football Scoop and was later confirmed by the school.
The Golden Bears ranked 122nd out of 123 FBS teams this season in both points (45.9 per game) and yards (529.6 per game) allowed, ravaged by injuries at almost every position. The good news for Kaufman is that many of those players return next season, including viable NFL prospects such as defensive end/outside linebacker Brennan Scarlett and cornerback Stefan McClure.
Cal did lose three starters to the 2014 NFL Draft, with defensive tackle Viliami Moala, linebacker Khairi Fortt and cornerback Kameron Jackson each forgoing his remaining eligibility.
Kaufman previously served as the defensive coordinator at Cincinnati, overseeing the No. 9 total defense (315.6 yards per game allowed) and No. 14 scoring defense (21 points per game allowed) in the FBS in his lone season with the Bearcats.
Cincinnati head coach Tommy Tuberville cited recruiting as the main reason for parting ways with Kaufman after just one season.
Kaufman spent the 2012 season with Tuberville at Texas Tech, as the Red Raiders went from the No. 114 defense in yards allowed all the way up to 38th. Kaufman also has experience as defensive coordinator at North Carolina, East Carolina, Ole Miss and Louisiana Tech.
If Kaufman can engineer another quick fix, Cal should be among the most improved teams in college football next season.
Follow Dan Greenspan on Twitter @DanGreenspan.
