Northwestern has reportedly hired Ross Kolodziej as its new defensive line coach, according to a Tuesday X post by ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg (Medill ’03). He will join the ’Cats following three years at Stanford, where he coached the 25th-best rush defense in the country in 2025.
Kolodziej takes over for Christian Smith, who departs NU after three years at the helm. Before his time in Palo Alto, California, Kolodziej spent eight years at his alma mater, Wisconsin. The seven-year NFL veteran was the head strength and conditioning coach for six years before working as a defensive line coach in his final two years.
His defensive lines at Wisconsin were especially strong. The 2021 season was a record-setting one for the Badgers, and the run defense was no exception. Wisconsin was only the second team since 2008 to allow fewer than 70 yards per game across the entire season.
Rumors first surfaced on social media about Kolodziej joining the ’Cats when he was posted in a picture alongside coach David Braun on the recruiting trail. Kolodziej later changed his profile picture to the NU logo before Rittenberg broke the news of the hiring.
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