UCLA set to hire former Wisconsin coach for defensive coordinator role

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Former Wisconsin defensive assistant Colin Hitschler is set to become UCLA's new defensive coordinator, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel.

Hitschler would move over from James Madison, where he coached a College Football Playoff-bound defense in 2025. The Bruins recently hired JMU head coach Bob Chesney to take over the program. Hitschler is unlikely to be the only Dukes assistant to follow Chesney to the Big Ten.

Hitschler notably coached under Luke Fickell at Cincinnati from 2018-22, primarily as its safeties coach. He then held the title of safeties coach/co-defensive coordinator during his one year with the Badgers in 2023, before leaving for Kalen DeBoer's staff at Alabama. The defensive assistant was dismissed after one season with the Crimson Tide, leading to his current stint at James Madison.

Hitschler's JMU defense finished the 2025 season ranked No. 15 nationally in points per game, No. 20 in pass yards allowed per game, No. 6 in rush defense and No. 5 in total defense. Those totals ranked even higher before the team's blowout loss to Oregon in the first round of the College Football Playoff.

Wisconsin travels to face UCLA during the 2026 Big Ten season. It looks like a familiar face will be roaming the opposing sideline.

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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: UCLA defensive coordinator hire former Wisconsin coach Colin Hitschler

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