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Preserving a profitable method, new UCLA soccer coach Bob Chesney is bringing his prime two assistants throughout the nation with him.
Chesney is hiring offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy and defensive coordinator Colin Hitschler — who each served in those self same capacities underneath Chesney at James Madison — in a nod to continuity after the Dukes reached the School Soccer Playoff for the primary time.
The hiring of each coordinators was confirmed by somebody with data of the scenario who spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of the strikes haven’t been introduced.
Kennedy has labored with Chesney for 4 consecutive seasons, becoming a member of his employees at Holy Cross as quarterbacks coach previous to the 2022 season earlier than incomes a promotion to offensive coordinator the next season. Kennedy then accompanied Chesney to James Madison earlier than the 2024 season.
Hitschler’s ties to Chesney go all the best way again to the Division III stage. In 2011, Hitschler was Chesney’s defensive position coach and co-special groups coordinator at Salve Regina earlier than the duo reconnected at James Madison earlier than this season.
Each Kennedy and Chesney presided over items that have been among the many finest within the nation, James Madison rating No. 11 in factors scored (37.1 per sport) and No. 15 in factors given up (18.4).
James Madison rolled up 509 yards of offense throughout a 51-34 playoff loss to Oregon on Saturday, essentially the most factors and yards the Geese gave up all season. Kennedy is understood for designing inventive offenses that unfold the sector, breaking out flea-flicker and Statue of Liberty performs to assist the Dukes submit 70 factors in opposition to North Carolina in 2024 whereas tying a document for essentially the most factors given up by the Tar Heels.
Each coordinators possess one thing their boss doesn’t — expertise teaching on the Energy 4 stage. Kennedy was a graduate assistant at Mississippi State and Florida earlier than incomes a promotion to offensive high quality management coach and later assistant quarterbacks coach with the Gators.
Hitschler was co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Wisconsin in 2023 earlier than taking a job as co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Alabama in 2024. Hitschler additionally has NFL expertise as a coaching camp assistant with the Philadelphia Eagles and a participant personnel assistant with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs.
Kennedy’s reference to Chesney goes again to a flurry of job-seeking letters that Kennedy despatched to varsity soccer coaches across the nation whereas at Florida. Chesney not solely responded but in addition donated to 2 charities with ties to Kennedy’s household after doing a little analysis on the persistent assistant. A yr later Chesney employed Kennedy when a emptiness opened on his employees at Holy Cross.
Chesney additionally is anticipated to rent a number of extra James Madison assistants to fill comparable roles at UCLA after bringing in Florida State’s Darrick Yray as common supervisor.
Yray, who lately accomplished his fourth season as common supervisor with the Seminoles, additionally has robust West Coast connections. Yray rose to director of participant personnel at Oregon State after working for the Beavers in quite a lot of roles and in addition was assistant director of soccer operations at Fresno State, his alma mater.
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