UCLA offense to See Change as Coordinator Tino Sunseri Departs
LOS ANGELES – UCLA will move in a new direction offensively, as coordinator Tino Sunseri is leaving his post, the team announced today. The move comes amid a deeply struggling Bruins offense that currently ranks No. 132 out of 134 major college teams in scoring, averaging just 14.2 points per game.
Sunseri’s hiring last year was considered a notable acquisition, having previously served as co-offensive coordinator at Indiana, where the team averaged 47.8 points per game and reached the college Football Playoff. Though, UCLA’s offensive output under his leadership has fallen far short of expectations, also averaging 321.2 yards per game, ranking No. 117 nationally. The team has consistently fallen behind early in games, trailing 20-0 against Utah, 23-0 against Nevada Las Vegas, 14-0 against New Mexico, and 17-0 against Northwestern.
Quarterback Nico Iamaleava has completed a career-high 65.3% of his passes, but is averaging only 197 passing yards per game with three interceptions to four touchdowns, resulting in a career-low quarterback rating.
UCLA is planning to promote current tight ends coach Brennan Neuheisel to offensive playcaller. Former UCLA offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone is anticipated to join the staff as an analyst, pending university approval. Neuheisel and Mazzone have a long-standing relationship; Mazzone hired Neuheisel as a quality control assistant at Texas A&M in 2017, famously stating, “Your coming with me, I don’t care what you say.” Neuheisel then joined the Aggies staff.
Mazzone previously served as UCLA’s offensive coordinator from 2012 to 2015 under Jim Mora, generating dynamic offenses. He has also held offensive coordinator positions at Texas A&M and Arizona, as well as with three teams in the United States Football league and United Football League. Mazzone, 68, is known for his no-huddle, simplified offensive schemes tailored to his personnel, especially the quarterback. ”I try to create space for playmakers,” Mazzone said in 2012. “I’m going to get you the ball where all you’ve got to do is beat one guy man-to-man. I do that, then it’s up to you.”
Neuheisel, a UCLA alumnus and the son of former Bruins coach Terry Neuheisel, has been with the program since 2018, holding positions as a graduate assistant, wide receivers coach, and tight ends coach. He is known for leading postgame locker room celebrations with the chant, ”It’s a great day to be a Bruin!” Neuheisel has expressed his long-term ambition to become UCLA’s head coach, stating in 2016, ”I didn’t get to put roses on my shoulder as a player…but I’m going to come back and put the roses on the players as a coach.”
