Kurt Van Valkenburgh - Football Coach - Florida Atlantic University Athletics

Kurt Van Valkenburgh

Title:
Assistant Head Coach/Linebackers/Special Teams Coordinator

Kurt Van Valkenburgh Photo Gallery
2010 - Florida Atlantic University (Assistant Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator and LB)
1998-2009 - Florida Atlantic University (Assistant Head Coach, LB and Special Teams)
1996 - Purdue University (Defensive Secondary)
1995 - University of Oklahoma (Defensive Coordinator)
1992-94 - University of Louisville (Linebackers/Secondary)
1986-92 - University of Maryland (Linebackers)
1982-85 - Vanderbilt University (Defensive Coordinator)
1981 - University of Virginia (Secondary)
1977-81 - Colgate University (Defensive Coordinator)
1975-77 - Union College (Defensive Coordinator & Secondary Coach)
1974 - SUNY Albany (Linebackers)
1972-74 - Mohawk High School, Mohawk, NY (Assistant Coach)

Bowl Games as a Coach
2008 Motor City Bowl (Florida Atlantic)
2007 New Orleans (Florida Atlantic)
1994 Liberty Bowl (Louisville)
1991 Freedom Bowl (Maryland)
1983 Hall of Fame Bowl (Vanderbilt)

Recruiting Area
Oversight and cross checker
Personal Information
Birth date: April 13, 1949
Hometown: Schenectady, NY
Education: 1975, M.S., education, SUNY Albany; 1971, B.S., physical education, Springfield College
Marital Status: Wife, Marilyn
Children: Heather, Brock and Melissa
Grandchildren: Dara (13), Isabel (10), Hannah (9), Faith (7), Abigail (6), and Samuel (5), Talin (3), John Ryan (2)

Coaching Accomplishments

At FAU
Kurt Van Valkenburgh was among the initial staff and has been instrumental in the construction of the program. Among his many duties, he assumed the defensive coordinator role in January of 2010 but will continue to concentrate his practice efforts with the linebackers. A linebacker has led the squad seven of the program[apos]s eight seasons in tackles. In 2008 Frantz Joseph took that accomplishment one step further by grabbing more tackles than any other player in the nation (154). He ended his final campaign as the countries No. 2 tackler for average (11.8). In fact, Joseph concluded his three year FAU career, all as a starter, among the nation[apos]s top-17 all-time in tackles. He shattered FAU[apos]s all-time, single-season tackle mark in 2007 and broke his on record in 2008.

If there is one thing that stands out about the Owls defense it is the degree which the linebackers are ready to play each and every game. This philosophy has been proven over time as the young program has consistently honored its linebackers at seasons end. In 2002 it was Chris Laskowski, who joined the program as a freshman walk-on. Laskowski was the team[apos]s MVP in 2002 and was the co-MVP in 2003. In 2004 Laskowski earned the team[apos]s Defensive MVP award and in 2005 it was Shomari Earls who walked away with Team and Defensive MVP honors. After a one-year hiatus top defensive honors returned to the linebackers in 2007 a year that saw Cergile Sincere follow Joseph in total tackles but lead the Owls to their first Sun Belt Conference Championship and first appearance in a bowl game. That torch was passed to Joseph in 2008 a task he embraced. In 2009, Van Valkenburgh was faced with preparing three new starters and none with significant playing time, by season[apos]s end a true freshman had earned a starting nod. Edward Bradwell stepped up as a leader and garnered the team[apos]s Defensive MVP honors at season[apos]s end.

Van Valkenburgh[apos]s linebackers continue to excel and are the consistent leaders on the field. Joseph or Sincere also led the Sun Belt Conference in total tackles wire-to-wire in 2007 and Joseph repeated the feat in 2008. Sincere was invited to play in the 2007 Hula Bowl and Joseph was named the Defensive MVP at the Texas versus the Nation All-Star Game in 2009.

Van Valkenburgh has also been responsible for the play of the special teams. In 2003 the special teams were credited with one TD, allowed no scores from a punt or a kick-off, and zero blocked kicks or punts. 2004 was more of the same. The unit scored one TD, forced a safety and blocked four punts.

As the FAU individuals began to receive awards it was only a matter of time before the longtime coach was recognized as the Top Assistant Coach by the All-American Football Foundation in 2005. The honor stands for so much more than the on-field accomplishments. It is a symbol of his devotion to the program and his willingness to get the job done no matter the task at hand. As Head Coach Howard Schnellenberger[apos]s right-hand man, VanValkenburgh finds himself as the go-to guy.

Van Valkenburgh also oversees the recruiting process as well as many of the day-to-day administrative duties.

At Purdue
His defense established three defensive school records in the secondary and improved from 11th ranked pass defense in the Big-10 to the top five. He coached the no. 2 and no. 3 ranked players in interceptions in the conference. He tutored a defensive back who set the school record for passes broken up.

At Oklahoma
His defense ended the season ranked 9th against the rush and 15th overall.

At Louisville
He helped guide the team to a national ranking while playing one of the most difficult schedules in the country. In 1993, Louisville defeated Michigan State in the Liberty Bowl.

At Maryland
Three of his linebackers were drafted in the NFL (linebackers led the team in sacks for the first time in school history while leading the team in sacks for two-consecutive seasons).

At Vanderbilt
He helped to guide the team to its last bowl game, the Hall of Fame Bowl. One of his players, Leonard Coleman, was selected in the first round of the NFL draft. Van Valkenburgh was nominated for the Southeastern Conference Assistant Coach of the Year.

At Colgate
He led the team to a 10-1 record, the most victories in the school[apos]s history. Paul Lawler led the nation in interceptions.

At Union College
Began rebuilding of program - improved winning percentage.

At SUNY Albany
The team finished undefeated.

Playing Career
Played three seasons as the starting linebacker at Springfield College (Springfield, MA).

Prominent Players Coached
At Oklahoma, Tyrone Peterson, drafted by the Baltimore Ravens.
At Louisville, Sam Madison, drafted by the Miami Dolphins; Rico Clark, drafted by the Indianapolis Colts; Tyrus McCloud, drafted by the Baltimore Ravens.
At Maryland, Sean Scott, drafted by the Dallas Cowboys; O[apos]Brien Alston, drafted by the Indianapolis Colts; Jack Bradford, drafted by the Washington Redskins.
At Vanderbilt, Leonard Coleman, first-round draft pick by the Indianapolis Colts. At Colgate, Paul Lawler, led the nation in interceptions, drafted by the Buffalo Bills.

NFL Players (round drafted)
DB Paul Lawler (5th) Buffalo Bills
DB Leonard Coleman (1st) Indianapolis Colts
LB Sean Scott (7th) Dallas Cowboys
LB O'Brien Alston (4th) Indianapolis Colts
LB Jack Bradford (5th) Washington Redskins
DB Sam Madison (34rd) Miami Dolphins
DB Rico Clark (4th) Indianapolis Colts
LB Tyrus McCloud (3rd) Miami Dolphins
LB Tyrone Peters (4th) Baltimore Ravens
LB Chris Laskowski (Free Agent) Indianapolis Colts
LB Frantz Joseph (Free Agent) Oakland Raiders