Art Kaufman Art Kaufman ( born in Dermott , Arkansas ) is an American college football coach . He is currently the defensive coordinator for Cincinnati . He previously was employed as the defensive coordinator for the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Texas Tech Red Raiders . Career . Kaufman graduated from the University of Arkansas at Monticello , playing at the Linebacker position for the Boll Weevils . During his playing career , he was named an All - American twice . After graduating in 1980 , he served as a graduate assistant for Delta State University . In 1983 , he received his first full - time coaching position as outside linebackers coach for Northwestern State . He held the position until 1987 , when he was promoted to defensive coordinator in addition to his linebacker coaching duties . In 1988 , Kaufman accepted a position as outside linebackers and defensive ends coach at Ole Miss . During his tenure as linebacker / defensive ends coach , the Rebels made appearances in the 1989 Liberty Bowl and the 1991 Gator Bowl . Kaufman remained at Ole Miss for several seasons , before becoming the defensive coordinator and linebacker coach for the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs for the 1993 - 4 seasons . In 1995 , he returned to Ole Miss as the new defensive coordinator under then first - time head coach Tommy Tuberville . Kaufman remained at the position for two years after Tuberville ' s departure to Auburn . From 1997 - 2000 under his tenure , Ole Miss appeared in four straight bowl games : the 1997 Motor City Bowl , the 1998 Independence Bowl , the 1999 Independence Bowl , and the 2000 Music City Bowl . Additionally , in 1999 Kaufman ' s defense ranked fourth nationally in rushing defense . For the 2001 and 2002 seasons , Kaufman was the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for Arkansas Tech . He coached the 2003 - 04 seasons as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for the East Carolina Pirates , and spent the 2005 - 07 seasons as the linebackers coach at Middle Tennessee . He then coached the 2008 season as the defensive line and special teams coach for Southern Miss , before accepting a position once again as linebackers coach for the North Carolina Tar Heels . Kaufman was promoted to defensive coordinator of the Tar Heels by interim head coach Everett Withers , filling the spot Withers had vacated upon the firing of head coach Butch Davis . In the 2009 season , Kaufman was named to the list of finalists for the Broyles Award given to the top assistant in college football . Texas Tech . On January 10 , 2012 , Kaufman was announced as the new defensive coordinator for the Texas Tech Red Raiders and former employer Tommy Tuberville , replacing Chad Glasgow . He is the fourth defensive coordinator in four years for Texas Tech , and the first with three years or more of experience at the position since Greg McMackin in 2000 . Kaufman inherited a Red Raider defense ranked 114 out of 120 in total defense , and last in the country in rushing defense . In the opening game of the 2012 season against the Northwestern State Demons , Kaufman ' s defense set a school record of only 84 yards allowed . After the third game versus the New Mexico Lobos , the Red Raiders were 2nd in total defense in the country . Following a bye the week of September 22 , the Red Raiders rose to number 1 in total defense . The Red Raiders maintained their number 1 ranking after a Week 5 defeat of their first Big 12 conference opponent , the Iowa State Cyclones . Kaufman ' s defense held the Cyclones to 189 yards of total offense . Following this performance , Kaufman was named by the " Fort Worth Star - Telegram " as the frontrunner for the Broyles Award . After a loss at home to the 14th ranked Oklahoma Sooners and an upset victory over 5th ranked West Virginia Mountaineers , Kaufman ' s defense ranked 4th in total yards allowed . In the upset victory over West Virginia , the Red Raiders held Heisman Trophy - frontrunner Geno Smith to 275 yards , a passing efficiency rating of 100 . 71 , and one touchdown pass . The win marked the most lopsided victory over a top - 5 opponent in school history , and marked the debut of the Red Raiders in the BCS rankings at number 17 . Kaufman was again praised for the performance of the defense , with Bruce Feldman of CBS Sports also naming him as the frontrunner for the Broyles Award . Cincinnati . Following head coach Tommy Tuberville ' s departure to Cincinnati , Kaufman remained a member of the Texas Tech staff through the 2012 Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas . Following the game , it was announced on January 4 , 2012 that Kaufman would be following Tuberville to Cincinnati to accept the defensive coordinator position . Personal life . Born in Dermott , Arkansas , Kaufman has three daughters .