FIU Athletics Paw'dcast Episode 17, Part 1 | FIU Football's Defensive Coordinator Jovan Dewitt and Defensive Line Coach Kenechi Udeze
Kenechi Udeze, a former collegiate standout at the University of Southern California and a first round selection (20th overall) in the 2005 NFL Draft, returns for his second season with the Panthers and will supervise the defensive line after coaching the outside linebackers in 2024.
Udeze returns a wealth of previous coaching experience to the Panther staff, both at the collegiate and NFL levels.
Prior to FIU, Udeze was pass rush specialist on the staff at the University of Houston (2023), Udeze was previously a member of the coaching staff at Vanderbilt (2020/LBs) as well as a defensive analyst with LSU during its run to the 2019 National Championship. He was also a defensive line coach at his alma mater USC from 2016-18.
During his stretch with the Trojans, USC led the nation in sacks (46) in 2017 and was fourth nationally in red zone defense. In 2016, USC limited its opponents to just 139.6 yards rushing per contest.
Udeze’s NFL experience includes a run with the Tennessee Titans as an assistant defensive line coach (2021-22) as well as a stint with the Seattle Seahawks as an assistant defensive line coach in 2012.
He began his coaching career as an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Washington for three years (2009-11), where he also worked with the defensive line. The Huskies played in the 2010 Holiday Bowl and 2011 Alamo Bowl. Udeze also held the role of assistant strength and conditioning coach at USC (2015) and Pittsburgh (2014).
In 2013, Udeze completed the Bill Walsh NFL Minority Coaching Fellowship program with the Minnesota Vikings.
During his illustrious playing career, Udeze was a three-year (2001-03) starting defensive end at USC, recording 135 tackles, 51 tackles for loss, 28 sacks, an NCAA record-tying 14 forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in his career.
As a junior in 2003 on USC’s national championship team, he was a consensus All-American first teamer, as well as a Hendricks Award finalist, the Washington D.C. Pigskin Club National Defensive Player of the Year, an All-Pac-10 first team selection and USC’s Defensive Lineman of the Year.
That season, he led the nation in sacks (16.5 for a 1.3 average), was fourth in tackles for loss (26 for a 2.0 average) and was ninth in forced fumbles (5 for a 0.4 average), the only player in the nation in the top nine in each of those categories.
His 26 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks in 2003 were the most by a Trojan defensive lineman since 1989 and he was the first Trojan with double digits in sacks since 1992 (Willie McGinest). He also had 56 tackles, five forced fumbles, a fumble recovery (for a touchdown), three deflections and a blocked field goal in 2003.
Udeze was a Freshman All-American second team pick in 2001 when he had 35 tackles, nine tackles for loss, four sacks, a fumble recovery, three forced fumbles and a deflection as USC played in the Las Vegas Bowl.
As a sophomore in 2002, he made All-Pac-10 second team and was USC’s Defensive Lineman of the Year when he had 44 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, a school record six forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, an interception and a blocked field goal (the Trojans won the 2003 Orange Bowl and finished ranked fourth nationally).
He declared for the NFL Draft after his 2003 junior season and was a first round selection (20th overall pick) by the Vikings in 2004. He started 47 of 51 games in his four years (2004-07) with the Vikings, compiling 117 tackles, 11 sacks, three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles.
As a rookie in 2004, he recorded 36 tackles, five sacks, a forced fumble and a deflection while starting 15 games for the Vikings playoff squad. He started 15 times in 2006, getting 29 tackles, then had 47 tackles, five sacks a deflection and forced fumble with another 15 starts in 2007.
Udeze was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (a blood cancer) in 2008 and placed on injured reserve that season. He received chemotherapy treatments and had a bone marrow transplant from his brother. He was the Vikings’ recipient of the 2008 NFL Ed Block Courage Award, as voted by his teammates. After attempting to return to the playing field in 2009 but struggling with peripheral neuropathy in his feet as a result of chemotherapy, Udeze retired from the NFL that summer.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology from USC in 2010.
He was a prep All-American lineman at Verbum Dei High in Los Angeles (Calif.), where he also was a shot putter on the track team.
Kenechi Udeze Timeline
| 2025-present |
FIU |
Defensive Line |
| 2024 |
FIU |
Outside Linebackers |
| 2023 |
Houston |
Pass Rush Specialist |
| 2021-22 |
Tennessee (NFL) |
Defensive Line |
| 2020 |
Vanderbilt |
Linebackers |
| 2019 |
LSU |
Defensive Analyst |
| 2016-18 |
Southern California |
Defensive Line |
| 2015 |
Southern California |
Assistant Strength & Conditioning |
| 2014 |
Pittsburgh |
Assistant Strength & Conditioning |
| 2013 |
Minnesota (NFL) |
Coaching Fellowship Program |
| 2012 |
Seattle (NFL) |
Assistant Defensive Line |
| 2009-11 |
Washington |
Assistant Strength & Conditioning |
