2 months ago
It's a new year for Bob Chesney and Colin Hitschler but the two coaches remain together, with Hitschler following Chesney from James Madison to California to join the UCLA Bruins. While it's a new roster, conference and program, there's a few things that remain the same.
One of those things being Trent Hendrick, who joined UCLA over the weekend. Hendrick won the Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year award under Hitschler last year and more success could be headed their way in 2026.
Hitschler spoke to the media on Tuesday after practice and talked about the new addition at linebacker.
"We had a lot of fun together last year and I think he did a great job where he was. I'm glad he got the opportunity for himself to hopefully continue to play college football here," Hitschler said. "What a special opportunity for him. Let's make the most of it."
One of the main things to watch for UCLA football this season is how Hitschler's defense will fare in the Big Ten. UCLA allowed the fourth-most yards per game last season in the Big Ten and had the worst scoring defense in the conference, allowing 33.4 points per game.
#hitschler #year #last #together
One of those things being Trent Hendrick, who joined UCLA over the weekend. Hendrick won the Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year award under Hitschler last year and more success could be headed their way in 2026.
Hitschler spoke to the media on Tuesday after practice and talked about the new addition at linebacker.
"We had a lot of fun together last year and I think he did a great job where he was. I'm glad he got the opportunity for himself to hopefully continue to play college football here," Hitschler said. "What a special opportunity for him. Let's make the most of it."
One of the main things to watch for UCLA football this season is how Hitschler's defense will fare in the Big Ten. UCLA allowed the fourth-most yards per game last season in the Big Ten and had the worst scoring defense in the conference, allowing 33.4 points per game.
#hitschler #year #last #together
2 months ago
We continue our USC Behind Enemy Lines series with UCLA Wire editor Dylan McNeill. Next question: Who is Bob Chesney's most important staff hire going into the coach's first season with the Bruins?
"The quickest way to start playing competitive football is having a strong defense, which makes new UCLA defensive coordinator Colin Hitschler the most important hire for Bob Chesney's staff," McNeill told us. "Hitschler has had co-defensive coordinator experience at Alabama, Wisconsin, Cincinnati and with Chesney at James Madison. Hitschler has coached some strong defenses over the past few years and if that can continue in 2026, UCLA has a shot at playing winning football in the Big Ten this season."
It's hard to argue with McNeill's answer. When UCLA was able to stand up to USC, it was because the Bruins had a physical, hard-nosed defense under then-coordinator D'Anton Lynn. When UCLA's defense was soft under other coordinators, the Bruins really didn't have a chance against the Trojans. Whether Colin Hitschler hits the mark as defensive coordinator is certainly a core variable for UCLA football this season. The Trojans hope he does as well as Alex Grinch did at USC. That would put the Men of Troy in position to run Los Angeles for many more years.
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This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Behind Enemy Lines: Bob Chesney's most important UCLA staff hire
#Trojans #hire #Football
"The quickest way to start playing competitive football is having a strong defense, which makes new UCLA defensive coordinator Colin Hitschler the most important hire for Bob Chesney's staff," McNeill told us. "Hitschler has had co-defensive coordinator experience at Alabama, Wisconsin, Cincinnati and with Chesney at James Madison. Hitschler has coached some strong defenses over the past few years and if that can continue in 2026, UCLA has a shot at playing winning football in the Big Ten this season."
It's hard to argue with McNeill's answer. When UCLA was able to stand up to USC, it was because the Bruins had a physical, hard-nosed defense under then-coordinator D'Anton Lynn. When UCLA's defense was soft under other coordinators, the Bruins really didn't have a chance against the Trojans. Whether Colin Hitschler hits the mark as defensive coordinator is certainly a core variable for UCLA football this season. The Trojans hope he does as well as Alex Grinch did at USC. That would put the Men of Troy in position to run Los Angeles for many more years.
Contact/Follow TrojansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of USC Trojans news, notes and opinion.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Behind Enemy Lines: Bob Chesney's most important UCLA staff hire
#Trojans #hire #Football
