Ranking 20 Years of UCLA Defensive Coordinators

Dec 31, 2013; El Paso, TX, USA; UCLA Bruins mascot Joe Bruin during the second quarter against the Virginia Tech Hokies in the 2013 Sun Bowl at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

8. Chuck Bullough, 2009 – 2010

Chuck Bullough – which almost rhymes with Yuck Blah, an apt descriptor of his defenses – was Tresey’s immediate predecessor, the man brought in by Rick Neuheisel after the weird, one-year forced marriage with DeWayne Walker. Bullough was an internal promotion from linebackers coach to his first DC gig and…it did not go well.

More: Myles Jack and Ishmael Adams named to 2015 Hornung Watch List

Statistical Rankings
Year | SOS | SD | TD | FDEI | DS&P+
2009 | 28 | 27 | 30 | 38 | 54
2010 | 3 | 86 | 91 | 68 | 58
Avg. | 16 | 57 | 61 | 53 | 56

Bullough’s 4-3 defense was inflexible, unimaginative, and horrible at stopping the run. He somehow coached defenses with Alterraun Verner, Brian Price, David Carter, Rahim Moore, Akeem Ayers, Jones, Zumwalt, and Marsh to giving up 45 points to Cal, 55 to Arizona State, and 60 to Oregon. His defense additionally allowed 35 points to Stanford at home in an embarrassing home shutout.

In a last-ditch effort to save his own job, Neuheisel fired Bullough after the 2010 season.

Where is he now: Bullough is currently in his second DC gig, this time at Syracuse.

Next: Big Name, Big Disaster