John Timu enters his second season with the Chargers in 2022. He will coach as a defensive assistant after serving as the Alex G. Spanos Coaching Fellow last year.
In his first year with the Bolts, Timu aided the coaching staff in the defense's transition to a 3-4 base front scheme, primarily contributing to the organization and day-to-day operation of the defensive coaching staff, specifically the defensive line and linebackers. As a unit, the Chargers' defense ranked third in the NFL with a conference-best 19 forced fumbles.
Timu joined the Bolts after spending two seasons (2019-20) as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, the University of Washington. In a condensed 2020 season, Washington finished the season as Pacific-12 Conference North Division Champions. In his first season returning to the Pacific Northwest, Washington finished with an 8-5 record, capping the campaign by beating Boise State in the Las Vegas Bowl.
Before joining the coaching ranks, Timu played three NFL seasons (2015-17) for the Chicago Bears, appearing in 29 career games and making nine starts at linebacker. In a 2015 win at Tampa Bay, he had six tackles and recovered two fumbles, becoming the first Bears defender to record multiple fumble recoveries in a single game since 2012. After being waived during final roster cuts prior to the 2018 season, Timu signed with the Salt Lake Stallions of the Alliance of American Football in early 2019.
Timu was a three-year starting linebacker at Washington, earning honorable mention All-Pac-12 recognition following his senior season in 2014. That year, he led the Huskies with 108 total tackles, while adding 10 passes defensed and two interceptions, including one he returned 63 yards for a touchdown.
A native of nearby Long Beach, Calif., Timu and his wife, Amanda, have two sons.
