The UCLA football team wasted little time in hiring a new
defensive line coach. UCLA coach Karl Dorrell announced Saturday
that Thurmond Moore will replace the departed Don Johnson, who left
to coach with the Chicago Bears last week.
“We are excited about having Thurmond join our
staff,” Dorrell said. “He is a very experienced
defensive line coach, and his lines have excelled in the area of
pressuring the quarterback. I feel our young players will benefit
greatly from Thurmond’s experience and teaching
ability.”
Moore, 49, brings with him extensive experience at both the
collegiate and professional coaching level.
Most recently, in 2004, he was the cornerback coach of the
nation’s 22nd-ranked pass defense at the University of
Tulsa.
Prior to that, Moore spent 2001-2003 as the defensive
coordinator at the University of Buffalo, where he led the Bulls to
a remarkable defensive turnaround during his first year, reducing
their points allowed per game by 14.9.
As a defensive line coach for Syracuse (1999-2000) and Colorado
State (1997-1998), he tutored two current NFL Pro Bowl defensive
linemen, Dwight Freeney and Joey Porter.
With the Orange, Moore coached a defensive line led by Freeney
for two seasons that saw Syracuse ranked in the top 20 in total
defense. With the Rams, Moore worked with current UCLA defensive
coordinator Larry Kerr in developing both Porter and Clark Haggans,
Porter’s fellow starter with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Moore’s long journey as a college coach has also included
stops at San Jose State (1996-97), North Texas (1995), Utah State
(1994), Northern Arizona (1989-93), Delaware State (1986-88),
Wyoming (1986), California (1983-85) and Cal State Sacramento
(1980-82).
At the professional level, Moore has spent time working in
summer camps for the St. Louis Rams, Oakland Raiders, San Francisco
49ers and Arizona Cardinals.
Before coaching, Moore graduated from San Jose State, where he
played two seasons at fullback and tight end.