News Summary
UCLA has terminated head football coach DeShaun Foster following an 0-3 start to the season. This decision follows a disappointing 35-10 loss to New Mexico and raises questions about Athletic Director Martin Jarmond’s leadership. Foster’s brief tenure included only five wins, leading to scrutiny of both his qualifications and Jarmond’s judgment in hiring him. The decision has sparked alumni concerns and discussions about future leadership within the athletic department, with plans for hiring a new coach and potential changes in management roles.
Los Angeles – UCLA has officially fired head football coach DeShaun Foster following a disappointing start to the season, with the Bruins currently holding an 0-3 record. Foster’s termination came on the heels of a 35-10 loss to New Mexico, and his tenure at the university was marked by just five wins against ten losses. The abrupt decision has raised questions about the future of Athletic Director Martin Jarmond amidst growing scrutiny over his ability to make effective personnel choices.
Jarmond faced criticism for failing to dismiss former head coach Chip Kelly at the end of the 2023 regular season, despite Kelly’s lack of success and reported dissatisfaction. After initially praising Kelly for establishing a positive culture within the program, Jarmond found himself unprepared for Kelly’s departure three months later. This left Jarmond with less than 72 hours to hire a replacement, leading to the appointment of Foster, who entered the role without prior head coaching experience or play-calling responsibilities.
Foster’s inadequate qualifications and record have been scrutinized following the substantial financial implications of his dismissal. The UCLA athletic department spent an estimated $6.43 million to fire Foster, less than two years after his hiring, raising further concerns about Jarmond’s judgments. Stakeholders are questioning whether Jarmond is fit to lead the search for a new coach and have suggested that he may not be the right person for the job given the program’s current struggles.
Concerns About Leadership
Adding to the complications is Jarmond’s recent five-year contract extension awarded less than a year ago, which has sparked conversations about the financial feasibility of terminating his position. Discussions among administrators indicate a potential shift in the hiring process for the next coach, with plans for an external football general manager to take on responsibilities that may include selecting a new head coach, potentially sidelining Jarmond in this critical decision-making process.
Recent events have called for increased accountability as stakeholders demand clear answers regarding Jarmond’s effectiveness in managing coaching personnel. Although Jarmond has stated that his decision-making involves multiple parties and has claimed that “the buck stops with me,” he has been viewed as deflecting responsibility for the coaching changes made during his tenure.
Alumni and Player Input
In response to the upheaval in the football program, a Zoom call was held with over 100 former UCLA football players. Many participants expressed feelings of disconnection with the current administrative leadership and highlighted ongoing issues in player recruitment that stem from poor communication. Former players voiced their hope that Jarmond would be more receptive to their concerns regarding the program’s direction and the management of alumni involvement.
Chancellor Julio Frenk has indicated a desire to play an active role in the athletic department, a distinct contrast to prior administrations that were less involved with the university’s sports programs. Efforts to hire a new head coach are underway, and a search committee is being assembled to assist with this process, although details on its specific composition remain undisclosed.
Future Implications for Players and Program
With Foster’s firing, current players may opt to explore options in the open transfer portal, although the logistical challenges of transferring could pose difficulties. The current turmoil within the program also raises concerns regarding its future prestige and competitive edge in college football.
As the UCLA athletic department moves forward in search of new leadership at the head coach position, Jarmond’s future as athletic director remains uncertain, and stakeholders are closely monitoring the impact of recent coaching decisions on the university’s football program.
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Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times: UCLA Athletic Director Martin Jarmond Should Not Hire Football Coach
- Wikipedia: UCLA Bruins Football
- Last Word on Sports: UCLA AD Hears from Former Players
- Google Search: UCLA football
- Patch: UCLA Fires Football Coach After Season’s Disastrous Start
- Google Scholar: UCLA Football Coaching Changes
- Daily Bruin: Fos Era Over in Westwood as UCLA Parts Ways with DeShaun Foster
- Encyclopedia Britannica: College Football
- 247 Sports: UCLA Football’s Martin Jarmond and Deshaun Foster
- Google News: UCLA Firing of DeShaun Foster
Author: STAFF HERE HOLLYWOOD
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