Andrew Kukesh

Biography

Andrew Kukesh begins his eight overall year with Columbia and third year as defensive backs coach after serving one year as the defensive line coach and three years as the Lions’ defensive assistant. He was part of the Ivy League Coaching Staff of the Year in 2024, which helped Columbia secure its first conference title since 1961. All four of Columbia’s starting defensive backs earned All-Ivy League honors last season, and the unit boasted the Ivy League’s top passing defense, allowing just 213.1 yards per game and passing efficiency defense (120.2). Under Kukesh’s tutelage, safety Hayden McDonald became the program’s first All-American since 2019 and first-ever defensive finalist for the Bushnell Cup. McDonald paced the Ancient Eight with five interceptions and was second on the squad with 68 tackles. Kukesh’s position group posted six interceptions and helped create nine turnovers in 2023. Six defensive backs were credited with takeaways, and four registered 30+ tackles. In his first year leading the defensive backs, Kukesh led a unit that registered 230 tackles during the 2022 season. The defensive backs also totaled 9.5 tackles for loss, along with six interceptions. While overseeing the defensive line in 2021, the Lions put plenty of pressure on opposing quarterbacks and found themselves in the backfield for a total of 30 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks. The unit also recorded 145 total tackles, and the 12.5 sacks accounted for roughly half of Columbia’s total sack tota

Career Path