Craig Stutzmann

{{Short description|American football player and coach (born 1980)}}

{{Infobox college coach

| name = Craig Stutzmann

| image =

| alt =

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| current_title = Offensive coordinator

| current_team = San Jose State

| current_conference = MW

| current_record =

| contract =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1980|7|14|mf=y}}

| birth_place = Hilo, Hawaii

| death_date =

| death_place =

| alma_mater = University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

| player_years1 = 1998–2001

| player_team1 = Hawaii

| player_years2 = 2002

| player_team2 = BC Lions

| player_positions = Wide receiver

| coach_years1 = 2003

| coach_team1 = Kalaheo (OC)

| coach_years2 = 2004

| coach_team2 = Saint Louis (HI) (AC)

| coach_years3 = 2005–2007

| coach_team3 = Saint Louis (HI)

| coach_years4 = 2008

| coach_team4 = Hawaii (GA)

| coach_years5 = 2009

| coach_team5 = Portland State (WR)

| coach_years6 = 2010

| coach_team6 = Memphis (GA)

| coach_years7 = 2011

| coach_team7 = Rhodes (WR)

| coach_years8 = 2012–2013

| coach_team8 = Weber State (WR)

| coach_years9 = 2014–2015

| coach_team9 = Emory & Henry (OC/QB)

| coach_years10 = 2016–2019

| coach_team10 = Hawaii (PGC/QB)

| coach_years11 = 2020–2021

| coach_team11 = Washington State (co-OC/QB)

| coach_years12 = 2022

| coach_team12 = Utah Tech (OC/QB)

| coach_years13 = 2022

| coach_team13 = Green Bay Packers (AC)

| coach_years14 = 2023

| coach_team14 = Texas State (PGC/WR)

| coach_years15 = 2024–present

| coach_team15 = San Jose State (OC)

| overall_record =

| bowl_record =

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| championships =

| awards =

}}

Craig Keola Stutzmann (born July 14, 1980) is an American football coach and former player who is the offensive coordinator for the San Jose State Spartans. He was previously the co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Washington State Cougars. He played college football for the Hawaii Warriors.

Playing career

Stutzmann was a four-year letterman at the University of Hawaii, where he played wide receiver. He started in three seasons as a slotback in June Jones' run and shoot offense, garnering two honorable mentions in all-WAC selections on his way to 2,025 career receiving yards.{{Cite web|date=January 30, 2016|title=Rainbow Warriors hire former WR Stutzmann as assistant|url=https://www.khon2.com/news/rainbow-warriors-hire-former-wr-stutzmann-as-assistant/|access-date=June 23, 2020|website=KHON2|language=en-US}} He made headlines in the final game of his college career in 2001 when he was ejected in the game against BYU for punting a football into the stands and jumping into them after scoring a touchdown.{{Cite web|title=Stutzmann's finishing kick was unexpected, but worth waiting for |url=http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2001/Dec/09/sp/sp05a.html|access-date=June 23, 2020|website=the.honoluluadvertiser.com}} Stutzmann has stated that he does not regret doing the punt and that he probably would've practiced to punt it higher.{{Cite web|date=December 23, 2019|title=To UH coaches and players alike, playing BYU still a deep source of motivation|url=https://www.khon2.com/sports/to-uh-coaches-and-players-alike-playing-byu-still-a-deep-source-of-motivation/|access-date=June 23, 2020|website=KHON2|language=en-US}} He spent one season with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League after his college career before getting into coaching.

Coaching career

= Early career =

Stutzmann began his coaching career as Kalaheo High School in 2003, serving as the offensive coordinator for the football team. He was hired by his alma mater Saint Louis School in 2004 as a varsity assistant before being named the head coach of the junior varsity team in 2005.{{Cite web|first=Allen |last=Gregory|title=E&H's Stutzmann has a Heisman connection|url=https://www.heraldcourier.com/sports/e-hs-stutzmann-has-a-heisman-connection/article_34532ad0-8a49-11e4-abe9-7fb43c2822e8.html|access-date=June 23, 2020|website=HeraldCourier.com|date=December 22, 2014 |language=en}} He was named a graduate assistant on the coaching staff at Hawaii in 2008, before leaving to join Jerry Glanville's staff at Portland State in 2009 as a wide receivers coach. After Glanville resigned from Portland State in 2009, Stutzmann left and accepted a position at Memphis as a graduate assistant. He was named the wide receivers coach at Rhodes College in Memphis in 2011, only spending one season there before being named the wide receivers coach at Weber State in 2012.{{Cite web|title=Rhodes College Football Hires Craig Stutzmann as Wide Receivers Coach|url=https://rhodeslynx.com/news/2011/6/28/FB_0628112419.aspx?path=mlax|access-date=June 23, 2020|website=Rhodes College Athletics|language=en}} He was named the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Emory & Henry in 2014, spending two seasons there before accepting a position on the coaching staff at Hawaii in 2016.{{Cite web|date=July 19, 2016|title=Wright On: Hilo boy Stutzmann has a grasp for tradition in Xs and Os|url=https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2016/07/19/sports/wright-on-hilo-boy-stutzmann-has-a-grasp-for-tradition-in-xs-and-os/|access-date=June 23, 2020|website=Hawaii Tribune-Herald|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=Stutzmann tweets he's leaving Emory & Henry|url=https://www.heraldcourier.com/sports/stutzmann-tweets-hes-leaving-emory-henry/article_6a74fb8c-c712-11e5-afa5-377568f168fb.html|access-date=June 23, 2020|website=HeraldCourier.com|date=January 29, 2016 |language=en}}

= Second stint at Hawaii =

Stutzmann was hired at Hawaii as the team's passing game coordinator under former teammate Nick Rolovich. He was also named the quarterbacks coach after Zak Hill left to be the offensive coordinator at Boise State.

After Rolovich left to be the next head coach at Washington State, Stutzmann was rumored to be a top candidate to replace Rolovich as head coach at Hawaii, garnering support from the Hawaii fanbase and received an endorsement from Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota, who played at Saint Louis while Stutzmann was coaching at the school.{{Cite web|title=Fans' vote: Online momentum swells for Stutzmann in UH vacancy|url=https://247sports.com/college/hawaii/Article/Hawaii-football-head-coaching-job-Craig-Stutzmann-Hawaii-Rainbow-Warriors-Marcus-Mariota--142318189/|access-date=June 23, 2020|website=WarriorSportsNetwork.com|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|date=January 16, 2020|title=Marcus Mariota endorses Craig Stutzmann for University of Hawaii head football coach|url=https://www.staradvertiser.com/2020/01/16/sports/sports-breaking/marcus-mariota-endorses-craig-stutzmann-for-uh-head-coach/|access-date=June 23, 2020|website=Honolulu Star-Advertiser|language=en-US}}

= Washington State =

After Todd Graham was hired as Rolovich's successor at Hawaii, Stutzmann was officially added to Rolovich's staff at Washington State.{{Cite web|date=January 23, 2020|first=Brian|last=McInnis|title=Hawaii football: Craig Stutzmann thanks islands in Twitter post|url=https://www.hawaiiwarriorworld.com/court-sense/hawaii-football-craig-stutzmann-thanks-hawaii-in-twitter-post/|access-date=June 23, 2020|website=www.hawaiiwarriorworld.com|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|date=February 4, 2020|title=Washington State football announces Nick Rolovich's first staff is finalized|url=https://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/02/03/washington-state-football-nick-rolovich-brian-smith-andre-allen-mark-weber-craig-stutzmann/|access-date=June 23, 2020|website=CollegeFootballTalk |language=en-US}} He was named the co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, sharing coordinator duties with Brian Smith. Washington State fired Stutzmann, along with Rolovich and three other assistants, for failing to comply with Washington's COVID-19 vaccination mandate.{{Cite web |title=Cougars Make Leadership Change with Football Program |url=https://wsucougars.com/news/2021/10/18/wsu-athletics-cougars-make-leadership-change-with-football-program.aspx |access-date=October 19, 2021 |website=Washington State University Athletics |language=en}}

= Utah Tech =

In January 2022, Stutzmann was announced as the new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Utah Tech, formerly known as Dixie State.{{cite news |title=FB - Craig Stutzmann Tabbed as New Offensive Coordinator |url=https://dixiestateathletics.com/news/2022/1/14/football-fb-craig-stutzmann-tabbed-as-new-offensive-coordinator.aspx |access-date=January 15, 2022 |work=dixiestateathletics.com |publisher=DSU Athletic Media Relations |date=January 14, 2022}}

= Green Bay Packers =

On May 11, 2022, Stutzmann was announced as a member of the Green Bay Packers Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship program.{{cite news |title=Wednesday's Transactions |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/national/story/2022-05-11/wednesdays-transactions |access-date=May 31, 2022 |work=The San Diego Union-Tribune |agency=Associated Press |date=May 11, 2022 |language=en}}

= San Jose State =

Stutzmann joined San Jose State in 2024 as their offensive coordinator.{{cite news|last=Weiner|first=Matt|url=https://mwwire.com/2024/01/22/san-jose-state-hires-craig-stutzmann-as-new-offensive-coordinator/|title=San Jose State Hires Craig Stutzmann As New Offensive Coordinator|publisher=Mountain West Wire|newspaper=USA Today|date=January 22, 2024|access-date=January 22, 2024}}

Football strategy

After playing under the run and shoot for Jones and working alongside Rolovich as a coach, Stutzmann designed a spread offense variant called the "Spread-N-Shred" that he first implemented at Emory & Henry; the name was coined by Bristol Herald Courier writer Allen Gregory.{{cite news|url=https://hawaiiathletics.com/news/2016/4/6/football-bows-getting-reaquainted-with-now-coach-stutzmann-in-spring-ball|title='Bows Getting Reacquainted With Now-Coach Stutzmann In Spring Ball|work=Hawaii Rainbow Warriors|date=April 6, 2016|access-date=January 22, 2024}} The system is described as a "wide-open offense" that places offensive players across the field to misalign defenses.{{cite news|last=Haag|first=Michael|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/baylor-bears/2023/08/31/baylor-prediction-can-bears-protect-home-field-start-year-strong/|title=Baylor prediction: Can Bears protect home field, start year strong?|newspaper=The Dallas Morning News|date=August 31, 2023|access-date=January 22, 2024}}{{cite news|last=Brice|first=John|url=https://footballscoop.com/news/san-jose-state-makes-bold-offensive-coordinator-hire-craig-stutzmann-ken-niumatalolo|title=San Jose State makes bold offensive coordinator hire|publisher=Footballscoop|date=January 22, 2024|access-date=January 22, 2024}}

Personal life and education

Born in Hilo, Hawaii and raised in Honolulu, Stutzmann attended Saint Louis School before attending the University of Hawaii. He earned his bachelor's degree in political science from Hawaii in 2002, and his master's in education from Hawaii in 2010.

Stutzmann and his wife, Briana, have one son.{{Cite web|title=Idaho State Athletics - Craig Stutzmann - 2010 Football Coaching Staff - Idaho State University|url=https://isubengals.com/coaches.aspx?rc=375|access-date=June 23, 2020|website=isubengals.com}} His younger brother Billy Ray, also a wide receiver at Hawaii under Rolovich, was an offensive assistant at the United States Naval Academy{{cite news |last1=Tsai |first1=Stephen |title=Former Hawaii receiver Billy Ray Stutzmann joining Navy coaching staff |url=https://www.staradvertiser.com/2019/01/15/sports/sports-breaking/former-uh-wr-billy-ray-stutzmann-to-join-navy-coaching-staff/ |newspaper=The Star Advertiser |access-date=July 11, 2020 |date=January 15, 2019}} before being terminated in September 2021, also for refusing to take a COVID vaccine.{{Cite news|last=Bumbaca|first=Chris|date=September 14, 2021|title=Navy football fires assistant coach Billy Ray Stutzmann for not receiving COVID-19 vaccine|newspaper=USA Today|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2021/09/13/navy-fires-coach-billy-ray-stutzmann-refused-covid-19-vaccine/8322164002/|access-date=September 14, 2021}}{{Cite web|title=Navy assistant coach Billy Ray Stutzmann fired after failing to receive exemption for COVID-19 vaccine|url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/navy-assistant-coach-billy-ray-stutzmann-fired-after-failing-to-receive-exemption-for-covid-19-vaccine/|access-date=October 20, 2021|website=CBSSports.com|date=September 13, 2021 |language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Lawson|first=Theo|date=September 13, 2013|title='I'm not going to talk about that.' Washington State's Nick Rolovich remains mum on vaccine status with 36 days until deadline|url=https://www.nbcrightnow.com/sports/washington_state_university/im-not-going-to-talk-about-that-washington-states-nick-rolovich-remains-mum-on-vaccine/article_f12cb6d5-47a9-58d1-b5e1-6433b114af98.html|url-status=live|access-date=October 20, 2021|website=NBC Right Now|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020155614/https://www.nbcrightnow.com/sports/washington_state_university/im-not-going-to-talk-about-that-washington-states-nick-rolovich-remains-mum-on-vaccine/article_f12cb6d5-47a9-58d1-b5e1-6433b114af98.html |archive-date=October 20, 2021}} Billy Ray later worked under Craig at Utah Tech and San Jose State as a wide receivers coach and senior offensive analyst, respectively.{{cite web|url=https://sjsuspartans.com/staff/billy-ray-stutzmann|title=Billy Ray Stutzmann|work=San Jose State Spartans|access-date=August 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240830192720/https://sjsuspartans.com/staff/billy-ray-stutzmann|archive-date=August 30, 2024}}

References

External links

{{Twitter|coachstutzmann}}
[https://wsucougars.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/craig-stutzmann/2911 Washington State profile]
[https://hawaiiathletics.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/craig-stutzmann/2196 Hawaii coach profile]
[https://weberstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/craig-stutzmann/344 Weber State profile]
[https://isubengals.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/craig-stutzmann/375 Idaho State profile]
[https://hawaiiathletics.com/sports/football/roster/craig-stutzmann/7044 Hawaii player profile]

Category:1980 births

Category:Living people

Category:American football wide receivers

Category:Emory and Henry Wasps football coaches

Category:Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football coaches

Category:Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football players

Category:Memphis Tigers football coaches

Category:Portland State Vikings football coaches

Category:Rhodes Lynx football coaches

Category:San Jose State Spartans football coaches

Category:Texas State Bobcats football coaches

Category:Utah Tech Trailblazers football coaches