The UCLA Bruins can go in a lot of different directions with this head coaching search. One internal candidate is linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr., who was a successful NFL linebacker and also spent time as an assistant on Pete Carroll’s staff with the Seattle Seahawks.
Norton’s name isn’t one that has been mentioned much so far in the coaching search. However, hiring an internal candidate could bode well for the current roster construction.
Chris Vannini of The Athletic mentioned Norton as a candidate (subscription required):
UCLA linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr. could be an internal option. The L.A. native and former UCLA player was an assistant during USC’s dynasty days in the mid-2000s before following Pete Carroll to the NFL. The 57-year-old returned to college football in 2022 to coach at his alma mater.
Some UCLA fans also advocated for Norton to replace Kelly even before he left for Ohio State, and this is a name Martin Jarmond should at least consider for the job.
The play for UCLA should be when Chip leaves to make Ken Norton Jr head coach – pretending not to fire him and not doing a normal coach hire has squandered them otherwise good candidates. At this stage Norton would be a better hire than the circumstances warrant.
— Lorenzo Cortes ✈️ (@Hoyatexas) February 8, 2024