Spanos named UCLA defensive coordinator

UCLA’s search for a defensive coordinator lasted weeks and weeks last season, finally landing on a coach straight from the United Football League.

Jim Mora’s search didn’t go much faster, but roughly five weeks after his hire,
he poached his man from the NFL.

Mora announced on Tuesday the hiring of former Washington Redskins linebackers coach Lou Spanos as the Bruins’ defensive coordinator, filling the UCLA staff at nine assistants.

“I am thrilled a coach with Lou’s NFL background and defensive pedigree has agreed to join our staff,” Mora said. “Now that our coaching staff is complete, I’d like to thank Dan Guerrero for his support as we sought to bring the finest coaches in football to UCLA. We have a collection of men that will not only be mentors to our student-athletes, but given their experience at the highest levels of football, will also be able to provide them a blueprint for competing and winning, and reaching their athletic potential.”

Spanos spent two seasons with the Redskins, helping lead London Fletcher to an NFL-high 166 tackles and a spot in he Pro Bowl, a year after he helped Fletcher and Brian Orakpo to the all-star game. Spanos arrived in Washington after 15 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he helped guide the team to three Super Bowl appearances. His hire gives UCLA a total of 90 years of NFL experience staff among its coaches, as players or coaches.