Karl Dunbar Season 2023

Updated 7/19/05

Karl Dunbar, a former All-SEC defensive lineman for LSU, returns to Baton Rouge to serve as LSU’s assistant head coach, while also coaching the Tiger defensive line. It will be Dunbar’s second tour of duty with the Tigers as he previously served as LSU’s assistant strength and conditioning coordinator from 2000-01.

The return of Dunbar reunites the former LSU standout with head coach Les Miles. After his departure from LSU following the 2001 season, Dunbar took a spot on Miles’ staff at Oklahoma State, coaching the Cowboy defensive line.

Dunbar comes back to the college game after coaching the defensive line for the Chicago Bears for the 2004 season. In his only season with the Bears, Dunbar helped a Chicago defense increase its sack total from 18 to 35 and its takeaways from 20 to 29, while also setting a modern franchise record for defensive touchdowns with six. 

Dunbar joined the Bears following six years at the collegiate level. Prior to his arrival in Chicago, Dunbar coached the defensive line at Oklahoma State from 2002-03 where he coached a defensive line that contributed to the Cowboy’s 60 quarterback sacks over a two-year period.

In 2003, Dunbar coached defensive end Greg Richmond to First-Team All-Big 12 honors for the Cowboys following a 70-tackle, 12.5-sack season for Oklahoma State. A year earlier, Dunbar’s defensive tackle Kevin Williams earned First-Team All-Big 12 honors and was taken in the first round of the NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings.

Dunbar spent two seasons at LSU, serving as assistant strength and conditioning coordinator for the football team. During his two years with the Tigers, LSU recorded 21 wins and claimed the 2001 SEC title, the school’s first outright conference in football since 1986.

Dunbar’s first college job came as the defensive line coach at Nicholls State in 1990. He spent two seasons with the Colonels before joining the LSU staff.

Dunbar got his start in coaching at the high school level, holding the defensive line job at Opelousas (La.) High School in 1996 followed by a year as the defensive coordinator at Beau Chene High School in Arnaudville, La. in 1997.

As a player, Dunbar was a three-year starter and four-time letterwinner on the defensive line for the Tigers from 1986-89. In 38 career games, Dunbar recorded 11 sacks and 22 tackles for losses. He earned Second-Team All-SEC honors as a senior in 1989 after recording 60 tackles and six sacks in nine games for the Tigers.

Dunbar was taken in the eighth round of the 1990 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Dunbar played a total of seven seasons in the NFL, which included three with the New Orleans Saints and two with the Arizona Cardinals. Dunbar also spent time with the Orlando Thunder and the Rhein Fire in the World League.

Dunbar graduated from LSU in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He and his wife, Pamela, have three children, Karmichael MacKenzie II, Mickel Angelle and Nickolette Alyse.

The Dunbar File
Year at LSU: Third 
Birthdate: May 18, 1967, in Opelousas, La.
Wife: Pamela
Children: Karmichael MacKenzie II, Mickel Angelle, Nickolette Alyse
High School: Plaisance
College: LSU, ’92

Coaching Experience
1996 Opelousas (La.) High School (defensive line)
1997 Beau Chene High School (defensive coordinator)
1998-99 Nicholls State (defensive line)
2000-01 LSU (assistant strength and conditioning coach)
2002-03 Oklahoma State (defensive line)
2004 Chicago Bears (defensive line)
2005 LSU (assistant head coach, defensive line)