Bob Connelly, the former offensive line coach at the University of Alabama, has been hired to take over the reins at UCLA for the same position, UCLA football coach Karl Dorrell announced Wednesday.
In his four seasons at Alabama, Connelly, 36, coached in three bowl games, including the 2007 Independence Bowl, 2006 Cotton Bowl and the 2004 Music City Bowl.
Prior to coaching in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Connelly coached the offensive line at Washington State, San Jose State and Cal State Northridge after starting his coaching career at Texas A&M in 1998 as a graduate assistant.
“Bob is an outstanding communicator and teacher,” Dorrell said in a press release. “He produced all-league performers at both Washington State and Alabama. I think he will bring a level of energy and expertise that will be a great fit for the young men in our program.”
In his tenure at Alabama, Connelly coached his line to many accolades. Last season, left tackle Andre Smith earned first-team Freshman All-America honors and sophomore center Antoine Caldwell was named second-team All-SEC.
In 2005, the offensive line paved the way for running back Kenneth Darby to rank second in the Southeastern Conference in rushing. Connelly was also rated a top-25 recruiter by rivals.com that season.
In 2004, two of Connelly’s starters on the line, Wesley Britt and Evan Mathis, earned All-SEC honors as the Crimson Tide led the conference in rushing and ranked second in the SEC in sacks allowed.
Connelly’s hiring is the most recent in a string of football changes this off-season. He takes the place of Jim Colletto, who coached the Bruins’ offensive line for one season before going back to the NFL as the offensive line coach of the Detroit Lions last month.
The Bruins also hired a new offensive coordinator, Jay Norvell from Nebraska, who replaced the fired Jim Svoboda.
The Bruins will return 20 starters from last season’s 7-6 team and are widely thought of as a preseason top-25 team.