Kenny Kuzmuk (pronounced Kuz-mick) enters his second season as Franklin College's defensive coordinator in 2025.
During the 2024 season, Franklin College improved by over 100 yards of total defense per game, improving the pass defense by over 90 yards per game. Kuzmuk's defense was also ranked 18th in the nation in turnovers gained and total passes intercepted, leading the HCAC. Franklin's defense also led the conference in quarterback sacks.
In addition to running the defense, Kuzmuk works with the defensive backs, where he mentored two All-HCAC players in Kahari Jackson and DeMarion Newell. Jackson led the HCAC in passes defended and was ranked 12th in the nation.
Prior to Franklin, Kuzmuk was the special teams coordinator and linebackers coach at Methodist University in Fayetteville, North Carolina. In 2023, Kuzmuk's special teams unit led the nation in kick return yards. During the 2022 season, Kuzmuk guided Kobe Praylow to an All-America selection in addition to being selected as the Special Teams Player of the Year in the USA South Athletic Conference. He also helped mentor Rod Christian to all-conference selection at linebacker that same year.
Kuzmuk was hired at Methodist for the spring 2021 season, coaching the cornerbacks, and helped guide the Monarchs to a 4-1 record and second place in the USA South Athletic Conference. His group was second in the conference, only allowing 175.2 passing yards per game. He also mentored freshman cornerback JK Lee to an all-conference selection.
Prior to his time at Methodist, he was the coach of the defensive backs at Alfred State College in 2020 (there was no season due to the pandemic). Kuzmuk began his coaching career in 2018 at Juniata College, where he was in charge of the defensive backs. In 2019, Kuzmuk coached the Centennial Conference interception leader, freshman Marson Weh.
A native of North Arlington, New Jersey, Kuzmuk graduated from Western New England University in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in sport management and a minor in athletic coaching. While there, he was a member of the Golden Bears football team from 2014-17, playing multiple positions on both offense and defense. During that time span, the team compiled a 37-7 record, claimed three Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) championships, and hosted a 2016 NCAA Division III playoff game, which was the first in school history.
