UConn defensive coordinator Matt Brock headed back to Mississippi State

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The staff turnover has begun within the UConn football program.

It was announced Wednesday that defensive coordinator Matt Brock will be returning to Mississippi State, where he served as DC and linebackers coach before joining Jim Mora’s staff with the Huskies in 2024. Brock will return to his role as co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for the Bulldogs.

It isn’t clear whether he will stay to coach the Huskies as offensive coordinator and interim head coach Gordon Sammis leads them in their Dec. 27 Fenway Bowl matchup against Army.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to return to Mississippi State and be part of what Coach Lebby is building,” Brock said in a Mississippi State release. “My time here had a lasting impact on my family and I’ve always valued the people and the standard of this program. I fully believe in the direction the program is headed, and I’m excited to get to work.”

UConn officially introduced Jason Candle, the all-time winningest coach at Toledo, as its new head coach to replace Mora, who announced he was leaving for Colorado State four days after the Huskies completed their 9-3 regular season. Candle said he planned on bringing some of his assistants from Toledo with him, but that will not include highly-respected defensive coordinator Vince Kehres, who took the DC job at Syracuse.

Brock, 37, improved the Huskies’ defense dramatically when he initially installed his 3-3-5 scheme for the 2024 season. UConn finished fourth nationally in third-down defense (.297) in 2024 while holding opponents to 23.1 points per game, 132.3 rushing yards per game and 347.4 total yards, all top-50 marks among FBS leaders. Tasked with replacing several key players in 2025, UConn’s defense had one of the best pass rushes in the nation, ranking eighth in total sacks (36.0) and fifth in sacks per game (3.0).

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