UCLA adds two James Madison coordinators to new staff

Offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy and defensive coordinator Colin Hitschler will follow Chesney to UCLA.

“Both Colin and Dean played integral parts to our historic success at James Madison,” Chesney said in a release. “I am thrilled that they have chosen to continue their coaching journeys in Westwood as part of our new Bruin family.

“I have seen first-hand their abilities to develop elite talent and get the most out of their players over the years. We look forward to having Colin and Dean make an immediate impact here at UCLA.”

Kennedy’s offense at James Madison this past season averaged 37.1 points per game, 11th-best in FBS, while the Dukes’ 452.6 total yards were 17th-best. The Massachusetts native has 11 seasons of coaching experience, nine at the Division I level and the last four with Chesney at Holy Cross and James Madison .

Hitschler has 15 years of coaching experience, while helping both James Madison and Cincinnati into the College Football Playoff. The Philadelphia native had a defense that was fifth-best in FBS this past season with 266.6 yards allowed per game and 14th with 18.4 points allowed.

Hitschler also has coaching experience on the FBS level at Arkansas State, South Alabama, Wisconsin and Alabama, where he was the co-defensive coordinator in 2024.

Chesney, who led James Madison to a 12-2 record this season and 21-6 over two seasons with the Dukes, was officially hired by UCLA on Dec. 6. He finished out the season with his former team, which lost 51-34 to Oregon in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Dec. 20.

UCLA had been looking for a head coach since firing DeShaun Foster following an 0-3 start. The Bruins showed progress in October under interim coach Tim Skipper before dropping the final five games on their schedule to finish with a 3-9 record.

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