Veteran defensive coach Kraig Paulson was hired as the Sacramento State defensive line coach in March of 2019.
In his first season at Sacramento State, Paulson's defensive front was one of the most disruptive in the country as the Hornets amassed 44 sacks and had 110 tackles for loss. Defensive end George Obinna was named an FCS All-America by multiple outlets. Obinna set the Sacramento State single-season and career record for sacks. Obinna had 14.0 sacks in 2019 (1.08 per game) which is led the Big Sky and ranked third in the FCS. He finished the year with 46 total tackles, including 20.0 TFLs. Defensive tackle Dariyn Choates joined Obinna on the all-Big Sky first team after recording 52 total tackles, including 17.5 for loss and seven sacks. Defensive tackle Elijah Chambers was named third team all-Big Sky and end Josiah Erickson was an honorable mention selection.
In 2021, the defensive line limited the opposition to 121.6 rushing yards per game, 3.8 yards per carry and combined for 16.5 sacks. Josiah Erickson was named to the all-Big Sky first team after a career season which saw him lead the team with 18.5 tackles-for-loss and 10.0 sacks. Erickson ranked third on the team with 57 total tackles and added six QB hurries and forced two fumbles. Defensive tackle Jett Stanley joined him on the all-conference team as he earned honorable mention honors after amassing 20 tackles wiht 2.5 TFLs and a sack.
The following year, Jett Stanely was named to the all-Big Sky second team as a defensive tackle and Killian Rosko earned third team honors at defensive end. Stanley recorded 40 tackles, including 2.5 for loss from the interior of the line. He set a career high with 10 total tackles in the nationally televised game against Montana. Rosko was credited with 41 stops with 6.5 coming behind the line of scrimmage. He also forced a fumble, recovered two and had four quarterback hurries during the year.
In 2023, Stanley returned to the all-Big Sky second team after recording 40 tackles including five for loss. Stanley was named the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week after tallying three sacks in the team’s win at Stanford. His 4.5 sacks during the year tied defensive end DeShawn Lynch for the most of the team. In all, six defensive linemen were credited with sacks during the year.
Paulson was kept busy in 2024 as he managed an injury-riddled defensive line which saw him start six different players. While only Ben Ahio started all 12 games, 13 defensive linemen combined for 224 total tackles with 33.5 for loss and 19 sacks. Ahio led the team with 9.5 tackles-for-loss while Josh Cashiola had a team-best four sacks.
Paulson came to the Hornets after serving the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at Southern Illinois for the past three seasons. He made an immediate impact with the Salukis as his defense allowed 75 fewer rushing yards and four fewer points in his first season compared to the prior year. SIU’s 12 interceptions that season were the most for the program in five years and Southern Illinois led the Missouri Valley Football Conference, and ranked 11th nationally, in red zone defense.
Prior to SIU, Paulson served as defensive coordinator at Utah State, Montana (twice) and UNLV during a span of 17 seasons. After playing for the Grizzlies, he started his coaching career as a graduate assistant in 1987 and earned a full-time job in 1988. Paulson helped Montana win a national championship in 1995, and took over as defensive coordinator in 1998, winning two more conference championships before leaving to take the DC job at Utah State in 2000.
Paulson returned to Montana as defensive coordinator from 2004-09 where he helped the Griz win six-straight conference championships and advance to the national championship game three times. During his second stint at Montana, the Grizzlies went 71-13 overall, 34-4 in the Big Sky, and 11-6 in the playoffs. He earned the All-American Football Foundation Assistant Coach Award in 2006. Montana produced nine All-Americans under Paulson and his 2009 Montana defense led the nation in turnovers with 37, including 26 interceptions. That season, he coached Kroy Biermann to the Buck Buchanan Award as the FCS top defensive player. Biermann went on to be drafted by the Atlanta Falcons and enjoyed seven years in the NFL.
Paulson was UNLV’s defensive coordinator, linebackers coach and assistant head coach for five seasons from 2010-14. He helped the Rebels reach the 2014 Heart of Dallas Bowl before coaching at Northern State in 2015.
The Plentywood, Mont., native was a fullback at Montana from 1983-86. Paulson started the Griz’ tradition and handing down the #37 jersey to a younger player from the state of Montana. He was known for his hard-nosed play and workman mentality.
Paulson graduated from Montana in 1987 with a bachelor’s degree in education. He and his wife, Jody, have three sons: Keogh, Elias and Rokken.
