Tag: Ikaika Malloe

UCLA defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe recruits in Hawaii

Ikaika Malloe’s work paves the path for a new recruiting pipeline.

The UCLA Bruins had dozens of questions entering the 2025 offseason, none more notable than if the Bruins would retain defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe. Ultimately, Malloe and the Bruins reached a deal, extending the 50-year-old defensive guru in late December. Less than a month later, Malloe is already hard at work as the Bruins begin their second season in the Big Ten.

In a post on X, Malloe offered an enthusiastic update on his recruiting, returning to his home state of Hawaii.

“Happy Aloha Friday!! Always good for the soul to reconnect with da roots! Blessed to be from da 808 GOD’s COUNTRY! IYKY. Much mahalo for all the Aloha spirit shared from coaches, players, and families. A hui hou, Malama pono. GYMR GOD BLESS!”

Malloe’s exciting update is a positive sign for the Bruins for several reasons. In addition to showing a passion for his job, Malloe’s outspoken Hawaiian pride could play a pivotal role in recruiting.

Hawaii has produced NFL products like quarterbacks Marcus Mariota and Tua Tua Tagovailoa, wide receiver Roman Wilson, and former UCLA kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn.

With Malloe’s help, the Bruins can begin to unlock a pipeline in the Aloha state and continue to build their roster for the future.

UCLA football hires former Bruins linebacker to defensive staff

The Bruins welcome a familiar face to their football coaching staff.

Though the 2024 college football season ended this week, head coach Deshaun Foster and the UCLA Bruins are already preparing for 2025. This week, they added another coach to their staff.

Former UCLA linebacker Tyree Thompson was named a defensive assistant by the Bruins according to a post on X. Thompson, who played inside linebacker for the Bruins from 2018-2019, recorded 55 tackles during his tenure in Westwood.

Now, the California native has returned home.

Thompson spent the 2024 season with the Arizona State Sun Devils, where he worked as a defensive assistant with the defensive line. Before helping Arizona State to the Big 12 title last season, Thompson worked with the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors in 2023.

Though much of Thompson’s work with the Bruins will be done on the practice field and behind the scenes, he adds familiarity with the program and a fresh perspective for defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe.

Given the defensive losses the Bruins suffered this season due to the NFL Draft and the transfer portal, adding additional coaches should help UCLA continue its success on defense and strengthen its staff.

UCLA football in talks to retain defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe

The Bruins are close to bringing back their best coordinator.

In the 2024 college football season, the UCLA Bruins’ defense was central to their success under defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe.

Despite their 5-7 record on the season and 3-6 record in the Big Ten, the Bruins built a formidable defense, especially against the run, against a tough slate of conference opponents.

This week, Tracy Pierson of the Bruin Report Online reported that sources close to the situation believe UCLA is finalizing a deal to bring Malloe back to Westwood next season.

With coaching seats to fill across college football, Malloe’s success in 2024 made him a potential candidate for other programs as a defensive coordinator or head coach. According to Pierson, UCLA has no intentions of letting Malloe go.

Given the Bruins’ difficult schedule and offensive woes, Malloe and his unit were put in a difficult spot. That said, UCLA’s run defense ranked third in the Big Ten and helped linebacker Carson Schwesinger to a Butkus Award finalist nod.

Should the Bruins bring back Malloe, UCLA should see similar defensive success in 2025 as it looks to revamp its roster in the transfer portal.

UCLA football lands visit from Miami cornerback

The Bruins secured a visit from a former four-star recruit.

The UCLA Bruins have already had a busy off-season. With players entering the transfer portal to big changes at offensive coordinator, the Bruins are already in the process of building their team for 2025.

This week, University of Miami (FL) cornerback Robert Stafford announced on X that he will visit Westwood this month.

Stafford, a redshirt freshman, only recorded two tackles with the Hurricanes this season and has entered the transfer portal. A consensus four-star recruit in high school, Stafford will visit the University of Central Florida, Georgia Tech, Maryland, and UCLA before the end of the calendar year.

Though the Bruins’ 5-7 record in 2024 leaves much to be desired, UCLA’s defense was one of the top units in the Big Ten against the run and could use some help against the pass.

In the transfer portal and NIL era, where playing time and visibility reign supreme, UCLA offers Stafford an opportunity to play and learn under defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe, who helped make linebacker Carson Schwesinger a finalist for the Butkus Award.

UCLA wire examines Ikaika Malloe as Defensive Coordinator

How will the new Bruins DC do?

As the UCLA Bruins football season approaches, there are plenty of questions about the 2024 squad. DeShaun Foster has his staff and his place, and his team is balling out in the pre-season practices.

UCLA Wire’s Matt Wadleigh discussed with Brock Vierra of Team NBS Media and one of the topics was the hiring of Ikaika Malloe as the defensive coordinator.

Here is what Wadleigh had to say about the new defensive coordinator:

“Ikaika Malloe has a difficult job with a lot of departing players, but the good news is it was an internal promotion to DC. He can step in and work with the same players he worked with before, which is a positive sign. But, there is no denying that the defense will be the big weak spot for UCLA this year.”

Malloe was hired in January of 2023. He played his college football at Washington and was one of the best defensive players on the squad from 2016-2020.

UCLA DC sheds light on Pac-12 and Big Ten differences

Ikaika Malloe speaks on the changes.

There has been a lot said about the Bruins moving to the BIG Ten entering this season. From recruiting rankings to talent assessment, UCLA has caught fire for many of the program’s past shortcomings.

That said, Bruins defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe gave some insights into how his defense will need to adjust.

In a video posted on UCLA’s BIG Ten Network X page, Malloe shed some light on how the conference merger will affect both the Pac-12 and BIG Ten teams. Specifically, it was about how different offensive philosophies will shape defensive game plans.

“Even when I was a player playing at the University of Washington, the BIG Ten was known for powerhouse football… For us, you had to get them out of running the ball. In the Pac-12, everything was quarterback-driven. It’s all about coverages and disguises and how much pressure you can put on the quarterback,” Malloe said.

“So, it will be a push and pull from two different conferences coming together. One will have to build the physicality part at least in my opinion. I believe on the BIG Ten side, it’s trying to figure out the spread offense. Things of that nature, where it’s not all powerhouse.”

Ikaika Malloe excited about homecoming in Hawaii

UCLA Bruins defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe is excited about returning to Hawaii.

Obviously, the game on Saturday between the UCLA Bruins and Hawaii Rainbow Warriors has a ton on the line. The first game for the new coaching staff at UCLA. The Rainbow Warriors looking to start 2-0, beat a power program, etc.

But, for Ikaika Malloe it has a whole new meaning. The second-year defensive coordinator is from Hawaii and has been fielding inquiries from friends and family about grabbing tickets for the game.

He is a graduate of Kamehameha School in Hawaii. From Waimanalo Hawaii to Spokane Washington playing with the Huskies was a big adjustment for him,  but he went on to earn four varsity letters as a safety and outside linebacker. He won the Bob Jarvis Most Inspirational Walk-On award in 1993.

He spoke to reporters after Tuesday’s practice about his time in Hawaii, and what it meant to come back:

The Bruins and Rainbow Warriors will kick off at 4:30 pm Pacific Time.

Ikaika Malloe raves on Ale Kaho ahead of 2024 season

High praises from Ikaika Malloe.

The UCLA Bruins defense is set to look much different in 2024 with the Murphy twins, Darius Muasau, and Laiatu Latu all off to the NFL.

But, one player who could fill one of the gaps is Ale Kaho. The former Alabama transfer played just one game over the past two seasons due to a multitude of injuries, but he has encouraged coaches during camp early on.

New Bruins defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe spoke highly of Kaho, per James H. Williams of The Los Angeles Daily News.

“I think we all know how athletic he is,” defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe said. “He’s a really special player but it’s his availability that will be the best ability for him.

As for the coaching staff, they want to do their part to make sure Kaho is healthy:  “We have to do our part to make sure he’s healthy and just the reps he takes out on the field. He doesn’t need much.”

Bruins linebacker Oluwafemi Oladej also spoke highly of Kaho and is excited to see him on the field: “Ale’s just an explosive player, fun to play with, fun to talk to in the locker room, great guy. He accelerates everybody’s confidence, just knowing Ale’s playing behind the ball, I can play fast because he’s playing fast.”

If Kaho can be healthy for the 2024 season, it would be a giant boost to the Bruins’ defense.

Trio of UCLA coaches make top 25 SuperWestrecruiters list

UCLA has some of the top recruiters

In order for first-time UCLA head coach DeShaun Foster to be successful, adding talented coaches is a big key. And, he has done just that with guys such as Ikaika Malloe and Eric Bieniemy.

SuperWest Sports compiled a list of the top 25 recruiters in the SuperWest, and three UCLA assistants made the cut. Here is where they ranked:

  • #3: Ikaika Malloe, DC
  • #12: Ken Norton Jr., LBs
  • #22: Kodi Whitfield, CBs

The top name on the list is USC assistant Eric Henderson, who spent time in the NFL with the Los Angeles Rams.

For new head coach DeShaun Foster, having talented coaches and strong recruiters such as these three is a massive step as they try and bring in recruits and players via the transfer portal.

The coaching staff Foster has put together is full of NFL experience, which certainly helps lure in players in the portal and recruiting front. It;s a step in the right direction.

UCLA DC Ikaika Malloe visits three-star recruit

Ikaika Malloe on the road.

This week, UCLA’s new defensive coordinator, Ikaika Malloe, visited the Aloha State to meet up with one of the Bruins’ future targets. 

Malloe, who was hired in January of this year after serving as the team’s special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach, met with three-star recruit edge defender Lebron Williams. 

Williams, who at 6′ 2″ and 250 pounds, has one more season of football at Kahuku High School in Hawaii. Receiving offers from Washington State, the University of Hawaii, and UCLA, the Bruins are currently the best option. As a BIG 10 program, UCLA dwarfs Washington State and Hawaii in the conference strength and nationwide visibility. 

Despite the critiques of the Bruins recruiting, in large part due to the mismanagement of Chip Kelly, UCLA’s coaching staff has done their due diligence and gone the extra mile to make their recruits feel at home and appreciated. 

If the Bruins see some success in 2024, their efforts in recruiting high-end prospects could pay off with some big commitments soon.