Ikaika Malloe Returns to Washington as Penn State Assistant

Ikaika Malloe is set to face Washington at Husky Stadium on November 5, 2026, as Penn State’s first-year defensive-line coach. The game brings him back to the school where he played and later coached for six seasons.

Malloe arrived at Washington in 1992 as a walk-on defensive back and redshirted. He became a starter, led the Huskies with four interceptions in 1995, then moved to outside linebacker. A broken wrist affected his final season in 1996.

After beginning his coaching career at Washington, Malloe worked at several programs, including the University of Hawaii and Yale, along with UTEP, Western Illinois, Utah State and Portland State. Chris Petersen brought him back to the Huskies in 2016 as defensive-line coach. He later became co-defensive coordinator under Jimmy Lake and left when Lake was dismissed.

At Washington, Malloe coached defensive tackle Vita Vea and edge rushers Bralen Trice and Laiatu Latu, all of whom went on to the NFL. At UCLA, he helped Latu continue his career after a neck injury forced him to leave Washington, and eventually became the Bruins’ defensive coordinator.

Malloe faced Washington twice while at UCLA: the Bruins won 40-32 in 2022, while Washington won 31-19 in 2024. His return to Montlake comes with his coaching allegiance now on the Penn State side.