Duquesne University Athletics

Mike Craig, architect of one of the top defenses in Division II at California University of Pennsylvania, returned to Duquesne as defensive coordinator in the spring of 2022.

Craig, who was the defensive coordinator at Cal U for six years, served on Schmitt’s staff from 2010-13, where he coached linebackers for three years and defensive backs for one season. He also served as special teams coordinator during his first stint on the Bluff.

Craig brings a over a decade of Northeast Conference playing and coaching experience to the Dukes the Bluff.

In 2021, Craig helped Cal U finish 21st in the American Football Coaches Association Top 25 - the program’s first final ranking since 2016.
    
The Vulcans (9-1, 5-1), who finished with one loss for just the third time in a half-century, ranked among the Top 10 nationally in total defense, scoring defense and rushing defense under Craig’s tutelage.     
    
Craig, who worked with an All-American every season at Cal U, helped develop over 20 All-PSAC West selections, including more than a dozen first-team honorees.

In 2019, prior to the canceled 2020 season, Craig’s Cal U defense led D-II and finished fourth among all NCAA divisions in rushing defense by allowing just 56.5 yards per game. Cal U also finished eighth in the country in red-zone defense and forced 29 turnovers, the program’s highest total since 2011.

In 2016, Craig transformed the Vulcans into one of the top defenses in the country, ranking fifth in the country in total defense and eighth in scoring defense, while helping the program capture its first league title since 2008.

Craig spent the 2014 and 2015 seasons as the defensive coordinator at his alma mater, Saint Francis U, where he helped the Red Flash finish second in the Northeast Conference in 2015. SFU led the NEC and ranked eighth in the FCS in passing defense that season.

Craig worked with six All-NEC selections in his two years at SFU, including three-time first-team safety Lorenzo Jerome.

Prior to moving to Saint Francis U, Craig helped Duquesne earn a share of the NEC title in both 2011 & 2013. In 2011, Craig worked with the linebackers on a defense that led the FCS in passing defense and ranked fourth in the nation in total defense.

Craig’s linebacking corps produced DU’s top three tacklers in both 2011 and 2012. One of his pupils, Dorian Bell, earned third team All-American honors (Sports Network) in 2012 and was named to the 2013 preseason Buck Buchanan Award Watch List.

Craig also worked with an All-NEC specialist in each of his four seasons as special teams coordinator for the Dukes.

A native of Imperial, Pa., Craig started his coaching career as linebackers coach and special teams coordinator at Saint Francis, where he helped develop All-NEC linebackers Scott Lewis and Matthew Parker, who rank first and second respectively in career tackles at SFU.

Craig played linebacker for the Red Flash from 2002-06 under then-head coach - and former Duquesne defensive coordinator - Dave Opfar. Craig registered 227 tackles and 31.5 TFL during his career, totaling over 45 stops in every season.

Craig earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Saint Francis in 2006 and completed a master’s degree in human resource management at SFU in 2014. He resides in Pittsburgh with his wife, the former Mame Brumbaugh, their son, Francis, and daughters, Mary Margaret and Claudia.

Mame’s grandfather, Boyd, quarterbacked Duquesne to a 13-12 win over Mississippi State in the 1937 Orange Bowl.