Former Kentucky assistant Derrick Ansley named Chargers defensive coordinator

Former Troy defensive back Derrick Ansley was hired by Marks Stoops to coach defensive backs at Kentucky in 2013. After leaving the program following the 2015 season, Ansley has bounced back and forth between the SEC and the NFL.

Ansley spent two seasons at Alabama (2016-17) coaching defensive backs for head coach Nick Saban and defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt. Ansley won a national championship with the Crimson Tide in 2017. In 2018, Ansley spent one season with the Oakland Raiders before returning to college in 2019 to be Pruitt’s defensive coordinator at Tennessee. After two seasons on Rocky Top, Ansley joined Brandon Staley’s first staff with the Los Angeles Chargers.

After two seasons with the AFC West franchise, Ansley received a big promotion on Monday. The 41-year-old will get to call plays in the NFL.

The #Chargers plan to promote Derrick Ansley to defensive coordinator and Tommy Donatell to secondary coach/pass game coordinator, per sources.

Renaldo Hill, who had been L.A.’s DC the past two years, is joining the #Dolphins staff on a multi-year deal.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 20, 2023

Ansley will replace defensive coordinator Renaldo Hill who is off to the Miami Dolphins to work with newly hired defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. Now Ansley will be put into a role with some pressure to perform.

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Despite a 19-15 overall record during his first two seasons in Los Angeles, Staley is very much on the hot seat entering year three. The Chargers have been unable to take advantage of their salary cap flexibility with star quarterback Justin Herbert on a rookie contract. Add in a playoff meltdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars in January and pressure is heating up. Now the Chargers will have to win with two new coordinators as Kellen Moore will be calling plays for Herbert this season.

The Chargers are in win-now mode. Derrick Ansley is getting a great opportunity as this franchise looks to challenge the Kansas City Chiefs juggernaut in the AFC West.