Ikaika Malloe named UCLA football’s defensive coordinator – San Bernardino Sun

UCLA football coach Chip Kelly has elevated Ikaika Malloe as the Bruins’ next defensive coordinator.

Malloe becomes the Bruins’ fourth coach hired at that position in as many years.  He fills the spot left open when D’Anton Lynn’s was hired at USC.

Malloe was the interim defensive coordinator for the Bruins’ 35-22 LA Bowl victory over Boise State on Dec. 16, 2023.

“Ikaika has a track record of developing NFL talent on the field and outstanding young men off it,” Kelly said in a statement. “I am excited to watch this next step for him and our team.”

Malloe was hired as UCLA’s outside linebackers coach in December 2021 and was given the role as the Bruins’ defensive line coach when Chad Kauha’aha’a departed from the program after one season.

Kelly told reporters last April that adding the defensive line to Malloe’s responsibilities was a “natural progression” and allowed for other coaching moves that would benefit the secondary.

Kelly had also spoken highly about sitting in the meeting room as Malloe was working with his position group, saying, “He’s doing a great job with those guys.”

Malloe was responsible for recruiting talent such as the standouts Laiatu Latu and Gabriel and Grayson Murphy from the transfer portal to help anchor his defensive front ahead of the 2022 season.

Latu is projected as a top 10 NFL draft pick after recording 13 sacks for UCLA. Latu’s sack total ranks third on the program’s all-time list for a single season, tied with Carnell Lake (1987). Dave Ball (16½ in 2003) and Anthony Barry (13.5 in 2012) are the only Bruins ahead of them.