Eastern Michigan Athletics
Grant Kurzner Named EMU Football Special Teams Coordinator
3/22/2026 4:00:00 PM | Football
Kurzner returns to Eastern Michigan after two seasons at the University of Michigan
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Grant Kurzner, an analyst with the University of Michigan for the past two seasons, has been named Special Teams Coordinator for the Eastern Michigan University football team, Head Coach Chris Creighton announced today, March __. Kurzner returns to Ypsilanti after prior service with the Eagles' special teams unit and experience at the Power Five level.
"Getting Coach Kurzner back as our Special Teams Coordinator is a big deal," said Creighton. "He knows our program very well and has only made himself better these past two years coaching at Michigan. It is rare to find a quality Special Teams Coordinator who was himself a specialist, and that is what we get with Coach Kurzner. We are all excited for him to take a unit that has been pretty darn good and make us better."
"I am so thankful for Coach Creighton giving me this incredible opportunity," Kurzner added. "I am excited and look forward to coaching these players and working with the staff!"
"Getting Coach Kurzner back as our Special Teams Coordinator is a big deal," said Creighton. "He knows our program very well and has only made himself better these past two years coaching at Michigan. It is rare to find a quality Special Teams Coordinator who was himself a specialist, and that is what we get with Coach Kurzner. We are all excited for him to take a unit that has been pretty darn good and make us better."
"I am so thankful for Coach Creighton giving me this incredible opportunity," Kurzner added. "I am excited and look forward to coaching these players and working with the staff!"
A native of Miami, Fla., Kurzner spent the 2024 and 2025 seasons at Michigan as a special teams analyst. He worked with the Wolverines' specialists and coverage units while assisting with scouting reports, game planning, and in-game adjustments. Michigan finished first in special teams efficiency during the regular season while ranking sixth nationally in blocked kicks and 21st in kickoff coverage.
Prior to U-M, Kurzner served at Eastern Michigan during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. He worked as a special teams analyst in 2022 before promotion to Special Teams Coordinator in 2023. During his time with the Eagles, the unit produced several all-conference performers and showed improvement across multiple statistical categories.
Placekicker Jesus Gomez earned All MAC Third Team honors in 2022 after converting 25-of-32 field goals, including a 55 yard long. Punter Mitchell Tomasek earned First Team All MAC honors in both 2022 and 2023 while averaging 44.5 yards per punt. He recorded a 72-yard long and placed 38 punts inside the 20 with 30 punts of 50 yards or more. Kick returner Jaylon Jackson earned First Team All-MAC honors in 2022 and Second Team recognition in 2023. He totaled 38 returns, averaged 36 yards per return, and recorded two touchdowns with a long of 89 yards.
In 2023, Eastern Michigan improved its punt return ranking from 93rd nationally to 19th. Kickoff return ranking improved from 87th to 36th, while net punt rose from 41st to 14th nationally. The Eagles also scored 21 special teams points in the season opener against Howard.
Before his first stint at Eastern Michigan, Kurzner worked at the University of Missouri from 2020-21 as a special teams graduate assistant and analyst under Head Coach Eliah Drinkwitz. During that span, Missouri improved across several national rankings. Kickoff coverage improved from 93rd nationally to 10th, punt coverage improved from 97th to 16th, and field goal percentage improved from 66th to 21st.
While at Missouri, Kurzner helped coach All-American placekicker Harrison Mevis, who ranked 10th nationally in field goal percentage in 2021. The unit also produced one of the nation's top kickoff specialists as Sean Koetting ranked third nationally with 63 touchbacks.
Kurzner began his coaching career at Appalachian State University. He served as a student coach from 2015-18 before promotion to special teams graduate assistant from 2019 through 2020. Appalachian State won four Sun Belt Conference titles and five bowl games during his tenure with the program.
During his time with the Mountaineers, Kurzner worked with standout returner Darrynton Evans, who averaged 28.83 yards per kickoff return in 2018 and ranked second nationally. He also assisted with the development of kicker Zac Matics, who improved from 1 of 5 field goals in 2014 to 14-of-17 in 2015 and earned First Team All-Conference honors.
Kurzner earned his bachelor's degree in physical education and health from Appalachian State University.
Prior to U-M, Kurzner served at Eastern Michigan during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. He worked as a special teams analyst in 2022 before promotion to Special Teams Coordinator in 2023. During his time with the Eagles, the unit produced several all-conference performers and showed improvement across multiple statistical categories.
Placekicker Jesus Gomez earned All MAC Third Team honors in 2022 after converting 25-of-32 field goals, including a 55 yard long. Punter Mitchell Tomasek earned First Team All MAC honors in both 2022 and 2023 while averaging 44.5 yards per punt. He recorded a 72-yard long and placed 38 punts inside the 20 with 30 punts of 50 yards or more. Kick returner Jaylon Jackson earned First Team All-MAC honors in 2022 and Second Team recognition in 2023. He totaled 38 returns, averaged 36 yards per return, and recorded two touchdowns with a long of 89 yards.
In 2023, Eastern Michigan improved its punt return ranking from 93rd nationally to 19th. Kickoff return ranking improved from 87th to 36th, while net punt rose from 41st to 14th nationally. The Eagles also scored 21 special teams points in the season opener against Howard.
Before his first stint at Eastern Michigan, Kurzner worked at the University of Missouri from 2020-21 as a special teams graduate assistant and analyst under Head Coach Eliah Drinkwitz. During that span, Missouri improved across several national rankings. Kickoff coverage improved from 93rd nationally to 10th, punt coverage improved from 97th to 16th, and field goal percentage improved from 66th to 21st.
While at Missouri, Kurzner helped coach All-American placekicker Harrison Mevis, who ranked 10th nationally in field goal percentage in 2021. The unit also produced one of the nation's top kickoff specialists as Sean Koetting ranked third nationally with 63 touchbacks.
Kurzner began his coaching career at Appalachian State University. He served as a student coach from 2015-18 before promotion to special teams graduate assistant from 2019 through 2020. Appalachian State won four Sun Belt Conference titles and five bowl games during his tenure with the program.
During his time with the Mountaineers, Kurzner worked with standout returner Darrynton Evans, who averaged 28.83 yards per kickoff return in 2018 and ranked second nationally. He also assisted with the development of kicker Zac Matics, who improved from 1 of 5 field goals in 2014 to 14-of-17 in 2015 and earned First Team All-Conference honors.
Kurzner earned his bachelor's degree in physical education and health from Appalachian State University.
Kurzner and his wife, Marie, have a daughter, Olivia.
Players Mentioned
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