Arizona Football names Johnny Nansen as Defensive Coordinator

After a short search for Defensive Coordinator, Arizona Football has found their replacement for Don Brown as they’ve hired UCLA’s, Johnny Nansen. 

It has been roughly two weeks since we first learned that Don Brown would be leaving the Wildcats for UMass, and after a short search, Arizona Football has their next man, as Johnny Nansen was named the new Defensive Coordinator.

The school announced via social media on Wednesday morning, and the hire signals to us fans that Jedd Fisch wasn’t messing around and understood the importance of bringing stability and hiring a defensive coordinator quickly.

Leaving his current position as the Defensive Line coach of the UCLA Bruins, coach Nansen joins the Wildcats to become the next defensive coordinator for Arizona, and this will be the first time in his career that he will serve as a defensive coordinator.

Now 47, Johnny Nansen joins the Arizona Football family with big shoes to fill as he replaces the well-respected and well-renowned Don Brown.

Coming into this coaching search, head coach Jedd Fisch made it clear what he wanted in his next defensive coordinator.

First, he wanted someone that he knew or knew of, and he seems to check that first box as Nansen has spent over 10 years coaching in the Pac-12 where their paths have somewhat crossed.

He also wanted someone that had deep, west coast ties. And given his background, he certainly checks off that box as well as Nansen is known as a fiery and passionate individual with deep recruiting ties that extend out to the Polynesian Islands.

Lastly, he wanted someone readily available. Now, granted UCLA will be in a bowl game in a couple of weeks, however, Nansen can step away and join the Cats immediately which is huge for Arizona!

Getting to know the Wildcats’ new Defensive Coordinator!

Johnny Nansen

Age: 47
Position: Defensive Line Coach
Alma Mater: Washington State

Resume:

• Washington State -1992-96
• Cabrillo High School (CA) (Defensive Coordinator) – 1998
• Louisville (Graduate Assistant) – 1999
• Montana State (Running Backs) – 2000
• Idaho State (Cornerbacks Coach) – 2001-02
• Idaho State (Defensive Backs Coach) – 2003
• Idaho (Linebackers / Special Teams Coach) – 2004-06
• Idaho (Defensive Line / Special Teams Coach) – 2007-08
• Washington (Linebackers / Special Teams Coach) – 2009-11
• Washington (Running Backs / Special Teams / Associate Head Coach) – 2012-13
• USC (Running Backs / Special Teams / Associate Head Coach) – 2014-15
• USC (Linebackers / Associate Head Coach) – 2016-18
• USC (Inside Linebackers Coach) – 2019
• UCLA (Defensive Line Coach) – 2020-21

Either this is an interesting hire and one I think that is high risk / high reward for the Wildcats. Overall, I am rather pleased and intrigued to see how this one plays out.