LOS ANGELES — Hawaii native Ikaika Malloe has been promoted to defensive coordinator by UCLA coach Chip Kelly.

Malloe, a Kamehameha Schools graduate and former special teams coordinator at Hawaii, was the defensive line coach this season and in 2022 coached linebackers and served as special teams coordinator. He has five years of defensive coordinator experience, including two as co-coordinator for Washington, his collegiate alma mater.

“Ikaika has a track record of developing NFL talent on the field and outstanding young men off it,” Kelly said in a statement Wednesday. “I am excited to watch this next step for him and our team.”

Malloe, who worked under Hawaii's late coach Greg McMackin in 2008, is largely credited for the development of All-America defensive lineman Laiatu Latu, who was UCLA's first Lombardi Award winner. Latu led the nation in tackles for loss (1.8 per game).

Malloe will be UCLA's fourth defensive coordinator since 2021. He replaces D'Anton Lynn, who went across town to Southern California after the Bruins finished 10th nationally in total defense and second in rushing defense.

Longtime assistant Jerry Azzinaro led the defense during Kelly's first four seasons in Westwood. Bill McGovern took over in 2022, but passed away due to cancer last year.

UCLA was 8-5 in its final season in the Pac-12. It joins the Big Ten next season, and is scheduled to open nonconference play at Hawaii on Aug. 31.