Staff Directory
- Title:
- Defensive Coordinator
- Email:
Mike Mutz begins his third season as defensive coordinator at SFA.
Defensively in 2024, Mutz’s Lumberjacks boasted a top 20 rushing defense nationally (160.3) and a top 10 passing efficiency defense (111.66) for the league’s second-best total defense at 343.4. SFA forced 28 turnovers, the sixth-most in FCS, of which 17 were interceptions. The ‘Jacks were very good in third down situations managing to “get off the yard” over 70% of the time.
Under Mutz’s leadership, four Lumberjacks earned Southland Conference honors with defensive back Jeremiah Walker earning first-team plaudits, while outside linebacker Aaron Austin, defensive lineman Edward Bobino III and cornerback Charles Demmings were all named to the league’s second team.
Following the 2024 NFL Draft, former ‘Jack Bruce Harmon, a 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl Watchlist honoree, and Jeremiah Walker, an honorable mention Associated Press All-American, signed UDFA deals. Harmon signed with the Dallas Cowboys, while Walker inked with the Chicago Bears.
Prior to SFA, Mutz spent seven seasons (2016-2022) with the Tulane Green Wave and established one of the top linebacker units in the Nation.
The 2022 Season is considered the greatest season in Tulane history. It’s the largest turnaround in FBS history – going from 2-10 to 12-2. The Green Wave finished the year ranked #9 in the country and captured the American Athletic Conference Championship and also won the Cotton Bowl in dramatic fashion coming back from a 15-point deficit in the final four minutes against perennial power Southern California. Linebacker Dorian Williams was named the Defensive MVP of the game while Linebacker Nick Anderson was the MVP of the American Athletic Conference Championship Game. The duo combined for 244 tackles, 15 TFLS, 7 sacks, 2 interceptions and 4 forced fumbles. Williams became a third-round pick of the Buffalo Bills in this year’s draft while Anderson signed with the New Orleans Saints.
Under his leadership in 2021, his linebacker crew proved to be the core of the Green Wave defense with three of the five leading tacklers coming from his group. In 2020 the Linebackers combined for 306 tackles, 40.5 TFL’s, 9 Sacks and helped the Green Wave reach a bowl game for a record third straight season.
The Mutz File:Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
Wife: Melissa
Child: Charles Lucas
EDUCATION
Bachelor’s – Colorado Mesa, 1997
Master’s – Southern Illinois, 2000
COACHING EXPERIENCE
1998-2000, Southern Illinois
2001-03, Fort Scott CC (Kansas) (DL/ST)
2004-05, Sam Houston State (DL)
2006-07, Missouri Southern State (DB)
2008-09, Missouri Southern State (ST)
2010-11, Missouri Southern State (DC/DB)
2012, Blinn College (DC)
2013, Sam Houston State (DB)
2014-15, Georgia Southern (LB)
2016-2023, Tulane (LB)
POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE (5)
2020 Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl - Tulane
2018 AutoNation Cure Bowl - Tulane
2015 GoDaddy Bowl - Georgia Southern
2013 NCAA Playoffs Sam - Houston State
2004 NCAA Playoffs Sam - Houston State
