While the news of former LSU defensive coordinator Kevin Steele’s departure for the same position at Auburn was sudden, coach Les Miles has found a replacement just as quickly. 
Dave Aranda, who has served as Wisconsin’s defensive coordinator since 2013, will be LSU’s next defensive coordinator, the LSU athletic department announced Friday evening via a news release. 
In his time with the Badgers, Aranda produced the nation’s top total defense during a three-year span. Wisconsin was also the No. 1 scoring defense in the country in 2015.
LSU faced Aranda’s Badger defense in a 28-24 victory to open up the 2014 season in Houston. The Tigers will also start the 2016 season against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
“This is a great hire for us,” Miles said in the release. “Dave has an outstanding track record of producing some of the best defenses in college football. We’ve seen him up close and understand how difficult it is to have success against him.
“He’s everything that we were looking for in a defensive coordinator. He’s youthful with tremendous enthusiasm; our players are going to love him. He brings great defensive knowledge to our staff both as a technician and as a strategist. We are thrilled that he’s joining us.”
After four years at Hawaii and one year at Utah State, Aranda arrive in Madison, Wisconsin, where he also coached inside linebackers. Along with allowing the least amount points in the country, the Badgers ranked in the top ten in total defense, rushing yards per game and passing yards per game. 
In his one season at Utah State, Aranda’s defense ranked eighth in scoring defense. In 2010 at Hawaii, the Rainbow Warriors forced 38 turnovers, the most in the nation that year. 
The Redlands, California native is a graduate of California Lutheran, where he began his collegiate coaching career after returning to his high school alma mater as an assistant coach. His other coaching stops include Texas Tech, where he received his master’s degree, Houston and Delta State.
“Dave will bring different packages and an attacking style to the field,” Miles said in the release. “Watching his defense play, they are tough to move the ball on and they are sticky in every situation. His defenses do a great job of getting off the field.
“He’s going to be a great fit for our personnel. He’s a players’ coach, and we are really excited that he’s going to be a LSU Tiger.”