As the coaching carousel continues to rotate, one name has remained curiously absent from the discussion. Long-time Missouri defensive line coach Craig Kuligowski – the longest tenured coach at his position in the SEC – should be a name at the forefront of discussion when it comes to examining upcoming moves.

But around Kuligowski, it’s been quiet.

Having recently completed his 24th campaign and 20th as defensive line coach alongside Gary Pinkel, who resigned at the end of this season, Kuligowski’s future with Missouri remains uncertain.

Staying at Missouri as part of Barry Odom’s new staff hasn’t happened yet and reports state that he won’t be back. Odom is reportedly making significant changes to the coaching staff. He was promoted from defensive coordinator, a position he held for one season after coming over from Memphis in the same capacity.

It was nearly a year ago that Kuligowski turned down an offer to be co-defensive coordinator at Illinois to remain with Pinkel. He is one of the more accomplished assistant coaches in the nation. Over the years, he has coached nine Tigers to first-team all-conference recognition.

He is credited with building one the top defensive lines in the SEC. Under Kuligowski’s tutelage, 12 defensive linemen have been selected in the NFL Draft, including six in the first two rounds.

This season, Missouri held five opponents to 10 points or fewer but won just three of those games. That’s because the Tigers offense scored 10 points or fewer in seven games this season. At one point in the season, the Missouri defense allowed just four touchdowns in a month, but only had a 1-3 record to show for it.

Missouri ranked fourth in the SEC this season in total defense and third against the pass.

So, if Kuligowski isn’t staying at Missouri, where is he going? Could the two-time (1989-90) first team All-Mid-American Conference player at Toledo be eyeing a return to his alma mater, or would he consider it a step back?

Kuligowski got his coaching start at Toledo as a recruiting coordinator in 1992. He coached tight ends and offensive line for the Rockets from 1993-95 before moving to the other side of the football and beginning his long run as defensive line coach. From 1996-2000 Kuligowski built a force in the MAC and then was lured to Missouri for the same position in 2001.

He helped the 2000 Toledo defense to a No. 3 ranking nationally in scoring defense and tops in the nation in turnover margin. That team was fifth in the country against the rush, giving up just 81.5 yards per game.

The defensive line coaching position appears to be open at Toledo. Current DL coach Eli Rasheed will take a similar position at Iowa State, according to reports.

Of course, new SEC East head coaches Kirby Smart at Georgia and Will Muschamp at South Carolina, are putting together their respective coaching staffs as well. So the next couple of weeks should be interesting in seeing where Kuligowski and others wind up as the coaching carousel turns.