The Arizona Wildcats have found themselves a new defensive coordinator in Johnny Nansen.
Nansen, 47, spent the last two years as the defensive line coach for the UCLA Bruins and replaces former UA coordinator Don Brown who accepted a job at UMass as the program's head coach.
The Samoan-born Nansen comes to Tucson with a wealth of Pac-12 knowledge, having played at Washington State in the mid-90's and then went on to have assistant coaching roles at Washington and USC prior to his stint at UCLA.
Nansen, joined by Arizona coach Jedd Fisch, was introduced to the media Friday afternoon at the Arizona football facilities. The two coaches spoke about Nansen's fit with the Wildcats and his plans for the team's defense.
Fisch gets his man
βWe were able to get exactly who I wanted.βJedd Fisch on the hire of defensive coordinator Johnny Nansen pic.twitter.com/TrVyOpgcEI
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) December 3, 2021
Nansen on his new home
βArizona, to me, is a special place.βJohnny Nansen on being named Arizonaβs new DC pic.twitter.com/EUp1Cpxq3h
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) December 3, 2021
Goals for fast, physical defense
βEvery call is to attack the football.βJohnny Nansen wants Arizonaβs defense to play fast and physical. pic.twitter.com/b2sSag0O7y
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) December 3, 2021
Nansen's Polynesian Pipeline
Johnny Nansen on his ties to the Polynesian community and how that helps in recruiting defensive players: pic.twitter.com/ykbucN7QeW
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) December 3, 2021
Recruiting key is having right 'mindset'
New Arizona DC Johnny Nansen says he wonβt be afraid to recruit against the top teams in the Pac-12 for the best defensive players.βI think itβs a mindset.β pic.twitter.com/Ww0uFVyawH
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) December 3, 2021



