Spanos takes over UConn’s defense

Former UCLA defensive coordinator Lou Spanos has been named the defensive coordinator at UConn.

Spanos spent the 2018 season as an analyst at Alabama, won a pair of Super Bowls during his time on the Pittsburgh Steelers staff, and also had NFL stints with Washington and Tennessee.

Spanos was the coordinator at UCLA for two seasons as the Bruins finished 54th in total defense in 2012 and 78th in 2013. He helped the Bruins post three wins over ranked teams during his time at UCLA and in the lone game against a current American Athletic Conference foe, his defense held Houston under 400 yards and just six points in a 2012 victory. His 2012 UCLA defense finished fourth among Football Bowl Subdivision teams with 46 sacks, were seventh with 100 tackles for loss to go with 15 interceptions and the Bruins returned three fumbles for touchdowns.

Spanos has not only worked under legendary Alabama coach Nick Saban but has been on the staff of Super Bowl winning coaches Bill Cowher, Mike Tomlin and Mike Shanahan.

UConn is coming off the worst season statistically in the FBS era as the Huskies posted record numbers for points and yards allowed. After the season, defensive coordinator Billy Crocker was let go.

“Lou was exactly what I was looking for when I started the search for a new defensive coordinator,” UConn coach Randy Edsall said in a release. “I wanted someone who had NFL and college experience, someone who has coordinated a defense previously with success and someone who knows how to develop players and will be aggressive with the scheme that we will be running.

“When you look at who Lou worked for and with throughout his career, it is very impressive. Talking with the coaches that Lou

has worked for and with during his career, it was very apparent to me that we were able to attract an outstanding coach, person and recruiter to our staff and someone that will relate very well with our student athletes and take us to where we want to go defensively.”

UConn, which led all FBS teams in tackles by true freshmen and freshmen, is set to return nine of its top 10 tacklers from the 2018 squad.

Spanos ran a 3-4 defense during his time at UCLA but UConn shifted to a four-man defensive line during the 2018 season. Edsall indicated that the Huskies will be proceeding with a four-man front.

“I am looking forward to the opportunity to join Coach Edsall’s staff at UConn,” Spanos said. “I can’t wait to get up to Storrs and meet the student-athletes on the team and hit the recruiting trail.”

Spanos