Before working at Kent State, Coach Kaufman served as the defensive coordinator and safeties coach at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga, as the specials teams coordinator and linebackers coach at Syracuse University, as the special teams coordinator and linebackers/defensive ends coach at Bowling Green State University, as the special teams coordinator and linebacker coach at Eastern Illinois University, as the defensive coordinator and safeties coach at the University of Chicago, and as the special teams coordinator and linebacker coach at Case Western Reserve University. He has also worked in assistant roles at the University of Texas, University of Kansas and Mississippi State University. Seven of his former players have gone on to careers in the NFL. 

Kaufman graduated from John Carroll University in 2003 with a bachelor's degree in English. He went on to earn his master's degree in education from Heidelberg in 2005. In addition to his coaching role, Kaufman will serve as Gilmour's testing center coordinator. He will also work with the College Counseling Office as an athletics college liaison. 

Athletic Director Sean O'Toole said, "I am thrilled to welcome Coach Kaufman to the Gilmour family. He brings tremendous experience as a former college coach; an impeccable reputation within the coaching community; and a commitment to his family, his faith and service. He will serve as an incredible role model not only for his players, but for all the Gilmour students with whom he works."

Kaufman said, "I cannot wait to get started as the head football coach at Gilmour Academy. Gilmour is just different: it's an elite academic institution, with incredible athletics programs and facilities, a beautiful campus, all capped off by excellent leadership from the top down. It's the best combination of academics, athletics and community that one can find."