University of North Dakota head football coach Chris Mussman announced on Friday that Josh Kotelnicki has been elevated to defensive coordinator.

Kotelnicki, a former standout linebacker at UND and a team captain on the team's 2001 Division II national championship team, was the special teams coordinator and linebackers coach the last five seasons.

"This was not a difficult decision at all," Mussman said. "Josh has been running our special teams for a number of years and that unit has been one of the tops at the FCS level. He's also done a great job with our linebackers and his passion and the way he motivates will only help our defense as we look to continue to improve on that side of the ball."

Kotelnicki, who also holds the title of assistant head coach, is in his second stint as a UND coach, having been a defensive assistant in 2004 and '05. He succeeds Mike Mannausau, who has accepted the role as UND's Champions Club executive director, as defensive coordinator.

Kotelnicki was the defensive coordinator at Truman State during the 2006 season. He also has coached at Murray State (2002-03) and Kansas State (2007) as a defensive assistant.