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Last week, we learned that Roy Manning was departing the UCLA Bruins football coaching staff to take a similar position at Oklahoma. Today, we appear to have learned who Chip Kelly has tabbed to fill that position, as Football Scoop is reporting that Nevada defensive line coach Jason Kaufusi will take over the position of outside linebacker and defensive end coach for the Bruins.
Source tells FootballScoop UCLA planning to hire Jason Kaufusi from Nevada’s staff.... https://t.co/sNnVtyuq1F
— FootballScoop Staff (@FootballScoop) January 21, 2019
Prior to spending the past two years as part of the Wolfpack coaching staff (under former UCLA OC and QB coach Jay Norvell), Kaufusi spent 5 years on staff at Weber State, working his way up from defensive ends coach to defensive coordinator. He also spent 4 years playing for Utah from 2000-2003, where he followed up by coaching high school football in Utah for a number of years.
Nevada Sports Net noted that Kaufusi was instrumental in helping the Wolfpack become much better at stopping the run. Prior to his arrival, Nevada gave up 6.10 yards per rushing attempt, and in 2017 that number was cut to 3.62. The Wolfpack were also very good at creating havoc plays, totaling 103 tackles for loss in 2018, including 35 sacks.
In addition, Kaufusi has a reputation of being an excellent recruiter, which has been a sore spot for the Bruins of late. With linebacker depth already thin and not looking great in the 2019 class, Kaufusi has an opportunity to make some improvements to the class quickly.
Can confirm reports that UCLA is closing in on hiring Nevada's Jason Kaufusi to replace Roy Manning as OLB coach. Just going through procedural stuff to make it official. Kaufusi is known to be a very good recruiter, which Bruins need.
— Ben Bolch (@latbbolch) January 22, 2019
Let’s all welcome Jason Kaufusi to Westwood.
Go Bruins!