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UCLA Football: Bruins Lose Linebackers Coach to Washington Commanders

Norton Jr. is headed to the NFL again.

After three seasons as the UCLA Bruins linebackers coach, Ken Norton Jr. will leave Westwood and join the Washington Commanders as their new linebackers coach. 

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero was the first to report on the hire. 

The former UCLA linebackers coach will return to the NFL as he served as the linebackers coach for the Seattle Seahawks. Norton Jr. was also the defensive coordinator for the then-Oakland Raiders from 2015-2017 and the Seahawks from 2018-2021. 

Norton Jr. not only served as the Bruins' linebacker coach but also played for the Bruins from 1984 to 1987. On top of that, he's also a member of the UCLA Hall of Fame. He was named the team's defensive MVP in 1987, earned first-team honors, and was a finalist for the Butkus Award. 

The 57-year-old coach will join a new staff in Washington. He was successful in the NFL before, and we should expect no difference in his tenure with the Commanders.