Pete Kaligis begins his third season on Head Coach Jake Dickert’s staff after being named the assistant head coach/defensive tackles coach on Jan. 3, 2022. Kaligis and Dickert previous worked together from 2017-19 while both were on Craig Bohl’s defensive staff at Wyoming.
In 2023, the Cougar interior defense made strides after beginning the year with the top six tackles combining for just 10 games played in a Cougar uniform. Despite that, the unit totaled 102 tackles, eight tackles-for-loss and three sacks. Against No. 19 Wisconsin, the Cougar defensive tackles led a defensive that held the Badgers to just 90 rushing yards, it’s second-lowest output of the season and 59.5 yards below its season average.
In his first season coaching the defensive tackles, the unit combined for 101 tackles, 11.5 tackles-for-loss and four sacks. It was part of a defense that finished second in the Pac-12 in TFL’s and fourth in sacks, while the defense also flexed in the Red Zone, finishing second in the Pac-12 and 15th nationally.
Kaligis arrived in Pullman having spent the previous 13 seasons at Wyoming. During his time in Laramie, Kaligis served multiple roles, beginning with offensive line coach (2009), adding running backs and assistant head coach duties in 2012, offensive coordinator/running backs/assistant head coach in 2013, then transitioned to the other side of the ball in 2014, spending six years working with defensive tackles, then added defensive run game coordinator duties for his final two seasons.
Kaligis coached six bowl teams during his tenure and was a part of some of the best defenses in the country. In 2017, he coached First-Team All-Mountain West defensive tackle Youhanna Ghaifan, while also mentoring notable players Sidney Malauulu and Patrick Mertens, both of whom signed NFL free agent contracts.
In 2019, the Cowboy defense was again among the best in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), ranking: No. 11 in the nation in scoring defense, allowing opponents only 17.8 points per game, and No. 11 rushing defense, giving up only 107.1 rushing yards per game to opponents. Wyoming also ranked: No. 6 in the FBS in redzone defense (allowing opponents to convert only 68.9 percent of their opportunities), No. 12 in the country in defensive touchdowns scored (3), No. 31 in interceptions (12), No. 37 in defensive pass efficiency (123.23).
Wyoming’s 2018 defense was one of the best in the nation. The Cowboys ranked No. 19 in the nation in total defense (allowing opponents only 326.2 yards per game), were No. 25 in the NCAA in rushing defense (129.5 yards per game), ranked No. 28 in scoring defense (giving up only 22.0 points per game) and were No. 32 in pass defense (196.7 yards per game). The UW defense also ranked No. 16 in the country in fewest first downs allowed to opponents (223). One of the Cowboy seniors coached by Kaligis in 2018 was nose tackle Sidney Malauulu, who attended rookie camp with the San Francisco 49ers following the 2019 NFL Draft.
In 2017, the Cowboy defense enjoyed an exceptional season. Wyoming’s defense ranked No. 1 in the nation in takeaways in 2017, forcing 38 opponent turnovers. The Pokes ranked No. 9 in the country in scoring defense, allowing opponents only 17.5 points per game. UW ranked No. 1 in the NCAA in fumbles recovered (18), No. 2 in the nation in interceptions (20), No. 8 in defensive touchdowns scored (4 TDs), No. 13 in pass defense (174.9 passing yards allowed), and No. 23 in total defense (335.2 total yards allowed). Kaligis coached First Team All-Mountain West defensive tackle Youhanna Ghaifan in 2017.
As a unit, the 2016 Cowboy defense scored five defensive touchdowns to rank No. 1 in the Mountain West and No. 3 in the nation. Wyoming recovered 12 opponent fumbles, ranking No. 1 in the MW and No. 15 in the NCAA. The Cowboys’ 15 interceptions were second best in the conference and 22nd nationally. UW’s 27 total forced turnovers ranked No. 2 in the Mountain West and No. 10 in the country.
In his first season coaching the Cowboys’ interior defensive line in 2014, he coached senior defensive tackle Patrick Mertens. Mertens signed as a free agent with the Baltimore Ravens of the NFL following his senior year.
Kaligis served as Wyoming’s assistant head coach, co-offensive coordinator and running backs coach in 2013. Sophomore running back Shaun Wick narrowly missed the 1,000-yard plateau in 2013, rushing for 979 yards. Wick ended his Wyoming career in 2016 with 2,533 career rushing yards to rank No. 6 on the Wyoming career list.
In 2013, Wyoming ranked 22nd in the nation in total offense (472.8 yards per game) and 26th in passing offense (282.4 yards per game). The Wyoming offense ranked second in the Mountain West Conference and 38th in the nation in passing offense in 2012, averaging 265.4 yards per game.
The 2012 season saw Kaligis coach First Team All-Mountain West center Nick Carlson. Carlson was named to the Rimington Trophy Watch List for the second time his senior season. The Rimington Trophy honors the nation’s top center each season. Carlson was also named to the 2012 Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List, and was one of only 10 national finalists for the ARA Sportsmanship Award as a senior. Carlson (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and senior offensive tackles Josh Leonard (Oakland Raiders) and Kyle Magnuson (Oakland Raiders) each were invited to NFL camps as free agents following their senior seasons.
In 2011, the Cowboy offense ranked No. 11 in the nation in fewest sacks allowed, allowing only 12 sacks in 13 games. Three UW offensive linemen earned Mountain West All-Conference honors in 2011. Senior tackle Clayton Kirven and junior center Nick Carlson were named Second Team All-Mountain West. Sophomore offensive guard Tyler Strong earned Honorable Mention All-Conference recognition. Carlson was named to the Rimington Trophy Watch List for the first time in 2011.
Kaligis coached sophomore center Carlson in 2010. Carlson went on to earn Honorable Mention All-Mountain West Conference honors. One of Kaligis’ 2009 Cowboys, offensive tackle Ryan Otterson, signed a free-agent contract with the San Diego Chargers following the 2010 NFL Draft.
Kaligis has been a part of 16 teams that advanced to postseason play, including nine bowl appearances with NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision teams. Six of those bowl appearances came at Wyoming, including the Cowboys’ victories in the 2021 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, the 2019 NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl, the 2017 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, appearance in the 2016 San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl, bid to the 2011 Gildan New Mexico Bowl and win in the 2009 New Mexico Bowl. Kaligis was a strength and conditioning coach at Washington when the Huskies played in the 1999 Holiday Bowl, won the 2000 Rose Bowl (defeating Purdue, 34-24) and played in the 2002 Sun Bowl.
An outstanding college football player and track and field athlete, Kaligis started all 12 games at offensive guard for the Washington Huskies and late head football coach Don James when they captured the 1991 National Championship. The Huskies posted a perfect 12-0 record and defeated Michigan, 34-14, in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1, 1992, to win the national title. Kaligis was a member of the Husky Football team from 1990-94.
He was an All-American in track and field in the shot put. He won the gold medal at the 1995 U.S. Olympic Festival, and placed third in the 1995 University Games. He participated in the 1996 Olympic Trials in track and field in the shot put.
Kaligis earned his B.A. degree in sociology and law enforcement at Washington in 1994. He and his wife, Kristine, have a daughter, Harlie Grace, and a son, Cooper.
