Jan. 08--Offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone has left UCLA for Texas A, which announced Friday that he was the Aggies' new offensive coordinator.
Texas A has not made an announcement regarding UCLA quarterbacks coach Taylor Mazzone, who could join his father.
Last season, Noel Mazzone received the second-highest known salary of any Pac-12 assistant, according to USA Today's salary database. He made $860,000, according to the database, and his contract included retention bonuses of $165,500 on Jan. 1 and June 30.
Whomever UCLA tabs to replace him will inherit one of the best young quarterbacks in the nation, Josh Rosen, who will be a sophomore next season. Early candidates include running backs coach Kennedy Polamalu and USC quarterbacks coach Marques Tuiasosopo, who coached at UCLA as recently as 2012.
USC has not announced whether Coach Clay Helton will retain Tuiasosopo next season.
Noel Mazzone has been the only offensive coordinator in UCLA Coach Jim Mora's four-season tenure. The Bruins ranked 28th nationally in total offense last season. Mazzone's offense never ranked lower than 38th, but late in his tenure, some fans grew unhappy with what they perceived as predictable play calling.
Mazzone and Texas A Coach Kevin Sumlin worked together about two decades ago at Minnesota.
UCLA won't have to wait long to see him again. The Bruins open their season on Sept. 3 with a game at Texas A
