Head coach Jedd Fisch announced the hiring of Jason Kaufusi to be a vital member of the defensive coaching staff on Dec. 13, 2021. Kaufusi came from UCLA where he was the outside linebackers coach for three seasons from 2019-21.
Once he arrived in Tucson, Kaufusi helped build Arizona's 2022 signing class that ranked second in the Pac-12 (22nd nationally) and included the first five-star signee in program history.
During the 2022 season, the Wildcats forced 16 turnovers marking an improvement of 10 turnovers from 2021 helping Arizona to a win improvement of four games. It marked the third largest win improvement in program history jumping from 1-11 in 2021 to 5-7 in 2022. Arizona landed former five-star linebacker Justin Flowe (Oregon) during the early signing period for the 2023 recruiting class. Kaufusi helped the Wildcats secure 16 defensive signees on early signing day to add depth and talent to the defense.
In 2021, Kaufusi coached alongside Arizona defensive coordinator Johnny Nansen and helped the UCLA defense rank second in the Pac-12 in sacks per game (2.2) and rushing defense (124.2) while also finishing 21st in the nation in 4th-down pct. defense (40%). UCLA’s rushing defense ranked 26th nationally.
In the 2020 campaign, UCLA ranked eighth in the nation and led the Pac-12 in sacks per game (3.29) as the defensive unit surrendered just shy of 50 yards per contest less than 2019. Opponents averaged 3.6 yards per carry vs. the Bruins in 2020, which was a Pac-12 low.
In his first season with the Bruins, he coached Josh Woods who put up career-high numbers across the board in tackles, sacks and tackles for loss and was named a second-team all-conference selection by Associated Press. Woods led the defense in sacks (4.5) as the team upped its quarterback sack totals from 11 to 26 in one season. The outside linebacker group produced 17.0 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks.
Prior to his time at UCLA, Kaufusi spent two seasons at Nevada in 2017 and 2018 where he coached the defensive line. In 2018, Nevada played in a bowl game for the first time in three seasons and he coached Korey Rush, who was named first-team All-Mountain West while ranking second in the league in tackles for loss per game (1.3). In his first season at Nevada, the Wolf Pack defensive line combined for 15.5 of the team’s 23 sacks on the season.
In 2016, Kaufusi served as the team’s defensive coordinator at Weber State, where he helped the Wildcats advance to the FCS playoffs for the first time in seven years. Under Kaufusi’s leadership, the Wildcats led the Big Sky in passing defense in 2016, allowing just 193.5 yards per game. The Wildcats also had five players on defense earn Big Sky All-Conference honors. In 2014 and 2015, Kaufusi coached defensive ends and helped the 2015 unit lead the Big Sky in total defense. In 2010 and 2011, Kaufusi was on the Weber State coaching staff as an assistant coach in charge of the defensive ends.
In between the two stints at Weber State, Kaufusi worked as a defensive graduate assistant coach at BYU in 2012 and 2013 for Bronco Mendenhall, where the Cougars played in a bowl game each season. He also served as the team’s academic advisor in 2013.
Kaufusi spent time as an administrative assistant at his alma mater, Utah, under Kyle Whittingham in 2009 where he assisted with the cornerbacks. That season, the Utah secondary ranked 14th in the nation in pass defense while the defense was ranked 19th nationally.
He began his coaching career as an assistant at Cottonwood High School in Salt Lake City from 2004-07. He was in charge of the defensive line for the Colts and oversaw academics and assisted with strength and conditioning for the team.
Kaufusi signed to play football at Utah in February 1997, but left to serve a LDS Church mission to Panama before beginning his collegiate career. He joined the Utes for the 2000 season under head coach Ron McBride and then defensive coordinator Kyle Whittingham and was voted the Co-Mountain West Freshman of the Year after totaling 63 tackles. He also earned honorable mention all-conference honors with eight sacks and started nine games. Kaufusi went on to earn first-team All-Mountain West honors in both 2001 and 2002. As a senior in 2003, he was a pre-season All-America candidate and on the watch lists for the Bronco Nagurski Trophy and Outland Trophy awards, but an injury sidelined him for the season.
A native of Salt Lake City, Kaufusi attended East High School where he was named the 1996 Utah 4A Player of the Year and led the Leopards to a 13-0 record and the Class 4A state title. He recorded 16 quarterback sacks and caught 17 passes for 327 yards while playing tight end.
Jason was the fourth Kaufusi to play at the University of Utah, following the steps of his brothers Doug, Henry and Jeff. He is the father of three daughters, Taliana, Malia and Kimari, and a son, Ammon.
