Former 2-time All-Pac-10 linebacker Brian Willmer is in his fourth season on the Cougar coaching staff, his second handling the linebacker after serving 2 years working with the defensive line.
A 4-year letterman at UCLA, Wilmer established himself at the Bruins' top backer during his 1996 junior and 1997 senior seasons when he led the team in tackles. He registered an impressive 102 takedowns in 1996 and was named UCLA's defensive MVP. That was the same season he collected a career-high 15 tackles vs. Michigan (12 solo) and Arizona (14 solo). He had 22 tackles in 2 games against the Peyton Manning-led Tennessee Volunteers.
Willmer's prep career included appearances in 2 CIF championship games while playing linebacker and tight end at Sunny Hills High School in Fullerton, Calif. In his 3-year career, he had 399 tackles (157 solo), 17 sacks, 4 interceptions and 36 receptions for 877 yards. As a 1992 senior, he tallied 170 tackles with 3 interceptions, thus earning Super Prep and Blue Chips magazine All-American honors.
Willmer, 27, graduated from UCLA in 1996 with a bachelor's degree in political science. He attended UCLA's Graduate School of Education for 1 year.
Willmer, who in the past has served as a youth pastor at the First Baptist Church of Covina, is currently a teacher at Maranatha High School in Sierra Madre, Calif.
Brian and his wife, Lindsay, reside in San Dimas, Calif.
