Breaking News: Tresey hired by UCLA

Former Cincinnati and South Florida defensive coordinator Joe Tresey has been hired to do the same at UCLA, head coach Rick Neuheisel announced on Tuesday.

The 52-year-old Tresey spent two seasons in Cincinnati (2007-08), coordinating the defense that won the first of two back-to-back Big East titles in the Queen City. He left for USF in 2009, and spent the 2010 season in the UFL as defensive backs coach for the Omaha Nighthawks.

“Joe has had outstanding success at both Cincinnati and South Florida and I know he is going to be successful here at UCLA,” Neuheisel said in a release. “He has an aggressive style that forces turnovers and negative-yardage plays and I feel our players, especially our youngsters, will benefit greatly from his style of play. He is a fine teacher and I can’t wait for him to get started.”

Tresey’s first UC defense in 2007 led the nation in turnovers gained—a margin of plus 42—and interceptions with 26.

He quickly became one of my favorite Bearcat assistant coaches. His quick wit and humor made for some unforgettable moments in his two years under Brian Kelly. For more of my favorite Joe Tresey memories, see these links:
http://adamniemeyer.blogspot.com/2010/05/joe-tresey-hired-to-coach-in-ufl.html
http://adamniemeyer.blogspot.com/2009/10/usf-defensive-coordinator-is-truly.html
http://adamniemeyer.blogspot.com/2009/03/former-cincinnati-defensive-coordinator.html