Spaulding Report: Ikaika Malloe Out as UCLA Defensive Coordinator
The news was confirmed this afternoon by interim head coach Tim Skipper.
UCLA defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe is out as the Bruins’ defensive coordinator.
Ben Bolch of the LA Times published the news to X.com earlier this afternoon:
Interim head coach Tim Skipper confirmed the news when he met with the media earlier today. Coach Skipper said:
“Coach Malloe and the university [have] agreed to mutually part ways. I want to personally thank him for all he's done, especially with me, having conversations and things like that and everything he's done for this university. Just want to personally make sure I do that and get that handled. Great man right there.”
Here’s Coach Skipper’s full interview, courtesy of UCLA Athletics on YouTube.
I will say this. After watching the entire interview with Coach Skipper, he seems to be a bundle of energy, which appears to be good. His experience as interim head coach at Fresno State last season has clearly prepared him for his new role. He certainly doesn’t have that deer-in-the-headlights look that Coach Foster seemed to have so frequently.
That’s certainly not an endorsement of keeping him around beyond this season. Of course, Battered Bruin Syndrome requires me to write that the most UCLA thing to happen would be for Martin Jarmond to remove the interim tag from him. That’s not to say I think he’s going to do a good job or a bad job.
After all, theoretically, he could somehow find a way to lead this team to an 8-0 mark in conference play which would potentially have the team in the Big Ten Championship Game in December with a possible CFP berth on the line. Is it likely? Of course not, but what happens if the team really responds to his leadership? So, I won’t write that he shouldn’t be hired permanently under any circumstances before the team even takes the field once with him at the helm. I do think, however, that the only way he gets the job permanently is if he pulls off some sort of miracle between now and the end of the season.
In addition to Coach Skipper, the players who were interviewed today were Martin Bhaghani and Garrett DiGiorgio. Only DiGiorgio addressed the departure of Coach Malloe. He said:
“Honestly, I didn't even know what the story with coach Ikaika was. I'm not really filled in. I know some of the defensive guys loved him so much and sorry to see him go. Initial reaction as a man, he's a great person, great family person, and he brought so much value to this team. It's just unfortunate that I felt like he felt somewhat responsible along with Foster as well. So, all we can do is support him on his next step and, hopefully, he can come back and see the guys at some point.”
Here’s the full video of the player interviews, also courtesy of UCLA Athletics on YouTube
Finally, today, we have one more piece of news, courtesy of Ben Bolch of the LA Times. A few hours before he broke the Malloe news, Bolch post a statement from UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk to X.com.
It doesn’t seem to bode well for Athletic Director Martin Jarmond. In the statement, Frenk gives Jarmond the dreaded statement of support. Far too frequently, when someone in a position of power makes a statement like this, the axe is about to fall on the recipient.
It may not happen this week or next. It may take a few weeks or a few months. But the statement of support from your boss is almost never a good thing. Read into this what you will.
Go Bruins.
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As with most coaches, Malloe looked good when he had good players…and he looked bad when he was handed a group with no playmakers. A more experienced coach might have been able to squeeze a bit more from this group, but with the offense unable to run the ball, extend drives or score points, they were bound to be exposed. Although the defensive players liked him, this was different than players endorsing DeShaun two years ago; there simply aren’t any players who are worth appeasing to save the coach.
Also, while I understand there’s a lot of boilerplate silliness regarding statements about Jarmond, I simply can’t believe he will have a role in selecting the new coach - and also the requisite football GM, absolutely necessary for all D1 teams. You can say he only had one chance to select a head coach, and the circumstances were odd and trying…but the fact that he missed so spectacularly can’t be minimized or ignored.
Sorry to pounce like this, Joe, but I marvel at your perceptiveness and being able to parse stuff like this. Boss Fella Frenk sounds like my kinda guy!
Sorta seems like the sound that French royalty would have heard when the catch is tripped and there's that hissing of the blade as it descends.
"Oh hear', she thought dolefully, "I shan't be able to luxuriate in my beautiful chapeau collection ever again!"
{{{kerchunk...plop}}}
..and Madame DeFarge knits on..