News Summary
UCLA has fired head football coach DeShaun Foster after an unsuccessful start to the season, leaving the Bruins with a winless record of 0-3. Foster’s two-year tenure ended with a poor overall record of 5-10. The Bruins suffered three losses, including a troubling home loss against Utah and two more defeats against Mountain West foes. Foster’s struggles in improving team performance and defense led to the decision. Tim Skipper has been named interim head coach as the search for a new coach begins, amid challenges in recruiting and team morale.
Los Angeles – UCLA Fires Football Coach DeShaun Foster After Winless Start to Season
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has terminated head football coach DeShaun Foster’s contract following a disappointing start to the season, which includes three consecutive losses, taking the Bruins to a winless record of 0-3. The decision comes after Foster’s two-year tenure concluded with an overall record of 5-10, reflecting growing concerns over the team’s performance.
The Bruins kicked off their season with a 43-10 home defeat against Utah, which marked a troubling beginning for the team. Foster’s squad then faced additional challenges, suffering back-to-back losses to Mountain West Conference opponents. UCLA narrowly lost to UNLV with a score of 30-23 and subsequently fell to New Mexico, 35-10. Following the loss to New Mexico, Foster expressed his disappointment with the program’s performance, highlighting significant issues related to execution and team morale.
UCLA’s athletic director, Martin Jarmond, acknowledged that Foster faced considerable challenges, particularly as he navigated the complexities of a coaching role during a transitional phase for the Bruins, especially with their move to the Big Ten Conference. Foster’s defensive strategies were a particular concern, as his team’s defense allowed an alarming average of 431 yards per game, ranking them last in the Big Ten and 118th nationally.
Transition to Interim Leadership
In light of Foster’s departure, Tim Skipper, who previously served as a special assistant to Foster, has been appointed as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Jarmond stated that he made the decision to part ways with Foster, with the backing of UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk.
UCLA has committed to honoring the terms of Foster’s contract, which implicates a buyout exceeding $5 million, as they work towards establishing a new coaching direction. The university will initiate the search for a new head coach immediately, with Jarmond leading the efforts alongside executive senior associate athletic director, Erin Adkins.
Coaching Search Begins
The search committee will comprise experienced sports and business executives and prominent UCLA alumni, reflecting the program’s intention to undertake a strategic approach in selecting the next head coach. This decision comes amid significant recruiting challenges, as UCLA has already lost three commitments from its 2026 recruiting class since Foster’s firing, including a notable four-star offensive tackle, Johnnie Jones.
Foster’s background as a player for UCLA, where he gained recognition as an All-American running back, added to the program’s hope for his success as a coach. Despite showing some progress in the previous season, finishing 4-2 in their last six games, the team was unable to carry that momentum into the current year.
Challenges Faced in Transitioning the Offense
One of the primary challenges for Foster included successfully transitioning the team’s offense after the addition of former Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava. This transition proved difficult under the new offensive coordinator, Tino Sunseri, resulting in a lack of consistency on offense, further complicating Foster’s tenure.
As UCLA begins the search for a new head coach, Jarmond has indicated that this process will be approached strategically, considering the current standing of the program and the aspirations for future success within a competitive conference landscape.
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Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times
- CBS Sports
- UCLA Bruins Official Site
- The New York Times
- Football Scoop
- Wikipedia: UCLA Bruins football
- Google Search: UCLA football coaching search
- Google Scholar: UCLA football
- Encyclopedia Britannica: UCLA football
- Google News: UCLA fires DeShaun Foster
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