UCLA Football: Bruins Lose Second Coach in a Week
The UCLA Bruins have been going through significant coaching changes that began before their bowl game appearance. Defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn left for USC, followed by tight ends coach Jeff Faris leaving to take the head coaching position at Austin Peay.
Head coach Chip Kelly remedied this by promoting Ikaika Malloe as defensive coordinator, and Ken Niumatalolo as tight ends coach, both roles they served in as interim candidates for the LA Bowl. Niumatalolo was promoted on January 4, before leaving to become head coach of San Jose State.
Niumatalolo was named head coach officially yesterday.
Ken's son, Ali'i Niumatalolo also served on UCLA's staff as a football assistant but has now been promoted to linebackers coach for Utah Tech.
Ali'i is the second coach to leave for a promotion in less than a week. While coaching candidates often look for better opportunities, this is adding further unease for the coaching staff that Kelly attempted to retain.
There is plenty of time to find replacements, but Kelly better work fast to ensure his team does not miss a beat while they prepare for their entrance into the Big Ten conference.
Losing Lynn is significant considering he transformed the Bruin's defense into a top-10 unit. Kelly has full faith in Malloe, which is warranted. He is a great coach. Now, we will just have to wait and see how players respond to his direction when the season begins.
