Johnny Nansen, Arizona’s defensive coordinator the last two seasons under Jedd Fisch, is headed to Texas to be the co-defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach for Steve Sarkisian, according to multiple reports.
Nansen, 49, is a former assistant of Sarkisian at Washington from 2009-13 and USC in 2014. He was also on the same staff as current Texas co-defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski in 2000 at Montana State.
Nansen, 49, is slated to replace Jeff Choate, Texas’ former co-defensive coordinator who accepted the head coaching position at Nevada.
Arizona’s defense, a big reason why Arizona went 10-3 with an Alamo Bowl victory over Oklahoma this season, markedly improved in the last two seasons with Nansen, who replaced Don Brown at defensive coordinator before the 2022 season.
The Wildcats allowed 21.1 points per game this season (ranking No. 29 in the nation), a major reduction from 36.5 points per game in 2022.
Arizona is No. 25 nationally against the run, allowing 118.2 yards per game on the ground.
Replacing Nansen at defensive coordinator will be the fifth staff change — including the second at defensive coordinator — Fisch will have to make since his first season of 2021.
Fisch’s hires of Nansen and defensive line/outside linebackers coach Jason Kaufusi after the 2021 season, and his addition of veteran secondary coach Duane Akina and cornerbacks coach John Richardson entering this season have enhanced the Wildcats’ execution on defense.
Fisch dug into Arizona’s roots, hiring Akina, who was a significant part of Dick Tomey’s staff from 1987 to 2000.
Arizona legends Ricky Hunley (defensive line) and Chuck Cecil (safeties/defensive backs) have also been essential to the Wildcats’ development.
The offensive coaches have remained intact since his first staff in 2021 with offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Brennan Carroll, passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach Jimmie Dougherty, tight ends/special teams coach Jordan Paopao, wide receivers coach Kevin Cummings and running backs coach Scottie Graham.
Here are the coaching staffs under Fisch:
2021 (1-11)
Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line: Brennan Carroll
Defensive Coordinator: Don Brown
Linebackers/Special Teams: Keith Dudzinski
Passing Game Coordinator/Quarterbacks: Jimmie Dougherty
Tight Ends: Jordan Paopao
Safeties/Defensive Backs: Chuck Cecil
Defensive Backs/Cornerbacks: DeWayne Walker
Defensive Line: Ricky Hunley
Wide Receivers: Kevin Cummings
Running Backs: Scottie Graham
Strength & Conditioning: Tyler Owens
Senior Advisor to Head Coach Jedd Fisch: Tedy Bruschi
2022 (5-7)
Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line: Brennan Carroll
Defensive Coordinator: Johnny Nansen
Linebackers/Defensive ends: Jason Kaufusi
Passing Game Coordinator/Quarterbacks: Jimmie Dougherty
Tight Ends/Special teams:Jordan Paopao
Safeties/Defensive Backs: Chuck Cecil
Defensive Backs/Cornerbacks: DeWayne Walker
Defensive Line: Ricky Hunley
Wide Receivers: Kevin Cummings
Running Backs: Scottie Graham
Strength & Conditioning: Tyler Owens
Senior Advisor to Head Coach Jedd Fisch: Tedy Bruschi
2023 (10-3)
Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line: Brennan Carroll
Defensive Coordinator: Johnny Nansen
Linebackers/Defensive ends: Jason Kaufusi
Passing Game Coordinator/Quarterbacks: Jimmie Dougherty
Tight Ends/Special teams: Jordan Paopao
Defensive secondary: Duane Akina
Safeties/Defensive Backs: Chuck Cecil
Cornerbacks: John Richardson
Defensive Line: Ricky Hunley
Wide Receivers: Kevin Cummings
Running Backs: Scottie Graham
Strength & Conditioning: Tyler Owens
Senior Advisor to Head Coach Jedd Fisch: Tedy Bruschi
2024
Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line: Brennan Carroll
Defensive Coordinator: ?
Linebackers/Defensive ends: Jason Kaufusi
Passing Game Coordinator/Quarterbacks: Jimmie Dougherty
Tight Ends/Special teams:Jordan Paopao
Defensive secondary: Duane Akina
Safeties/Defensive Backs: Chuck Cecil
Cornerbacks: John Richardson
Defensive Line: Ricky Hunley
Wide Receivers: Kevin Cummings
Running Backs: Scottie Graham
Strength & Conditioning: Tyler Owens
Senior Advisor to Head Coach Jedd Fisch: Tedy Bruschi
Recommended for you
