UCLA, defensive line coach Chad Kauha’aha’a decide to part ways

Chad Kauha’aha’a, who spent one season as UCLA’s defensive line coach, announced that his time with Bruins came to a close Monday morning “to pursue other opportunities.”

Kauha’aha’a, who made the announcement on his Twitter page, was hired in December 2021 as part of a major overhaul of the defensive coaching assistants.

“I appreciate the hard work of the players I had the opportunity to coach and the friendships made on the staff,” Kauha’aha’a wrote.

He is the first coaching change this offseason for UCLA, which has faced some uncertainty this season when defensive coordinator Bill McGovern missed five games with an illness before returning to coach in the Sun Bowl.

McGovern said prior to the bowl game that he intends to fulfill the final year of his two-year contract.

Under Kauha’aha’a, the Bruins had an improved pass rush that produced 2.15 sacks per game to tie for the nation’s 63rd-best mark. UCLA also had the 35th-best run defense at 129.9 yards per game, though opposing teams focused primarily on attacking its pass defense in the second half of the season.

UCLA has yet to announce a corresponding move.