The UCLA Bruins have added another coach to their staff, and it is a familiar face. Jethro Frankin is returning to Westwood to become the Defensive Line Coach.
Jethro Franklin Hired As UCLA Bruins Defensive Line Coach
This has been in the works for a few weeks but is now official. Last season, Tony Washington Jr. was the defensive line and outside linebackers coach, so the expectation is that he will move to coaching the outside backers solely.
Franklin brings 33 years of defensive line coaching experience with him. After playing in the NFL for two seasons, Franklin returned to his alma mater, Fresno State, to begin his coaching career.
After 8 seasons with the Bulldogs, he became the interim defensive line coach for the UCLA Bruins in 1999. From there he had stints with five NFL teams, the USC Trojans, Temple, Miami, and Missouri.
He returned to Fresno State in 2022 and coached the defensive line there until just getting hired by the Bruins.
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Head Coach DeShaun Foster said of Franklin:
“Coach Franklin not only knows what it takes to reach the next level, but perform there,” said Foster. “He has more than 30 years of defensive-line knowledge and an enthusiasm for his craft that I know our players will embrace.”
His experience will be highly regarded with this staff, and the UCLA defensive line should continue its solid play moving forward.