UCLA hires NFL veteran as DC

Published Jan. 17, 2012 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Lou Spanos has been selected as UCLA's defensive coordinator, completing new coach Jim Mora's staff.

Mora hired the veteran NFL assistant coach on Tuesday.

Spanos was the Washington Redskins' linebackers coach for the past two years, coaching NFL tackles leader London Fletcher, Brian Orakpo and Rocky McIntosh to Pro Bowl seasons.

He spent the previous 15 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, helping the club to three Super Bowl appearances with a defense annually ranked among the NFL's best.

Mora, the former coach of the Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks, has hired a coaching staff with more than 90 combined years of NFL experience. He also hired respected offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone away from Arizona State.