It’s official—UCLA football is once again at a crossroads. In a move that sent shockwaves through college football circles, the Bruins fired head coach DeShaun Foster on Sunday, September 14, 2025, just three games into the season. The decision came after a lopsided 35-10 loss to New Mexico at a sparsely populated Rose Bowl, capping off an 0-3 start in which UCLA was outscored 108-43. For a program on the cusp of a new era in the Big Ten, the timing couldn’t be more precarious—or more telling of the deep-rooted challenges facing the Bruins.
Foster’s tenure, which lasted just 15 games, is now the shortest full-time head coaching stint in UCLA history, eclipsed only by Fred Cozens, who led the program for a single season in 1919. The brevity of Foster’s run is a testament to both the turbulence within the program and the high stakes of college football’s modern landscape. Foster, a beloved UCLA alum and former All-American running back, was elevated to head coach late in the 2023-24 coaching carousel, a decision driven as much by circumstance as by vision.
From the outset, Foster appeared unprepared for the demands of the role. His first public appearance as head coach at Big Ten Media Days in 2024 set the tone. Leaning on the podium and sipping water, he admitted, “I’m sure you guys don’t know too much about UCLA, our football program, but we’re in L.A. It’s us and USC. We, umm…” The moment, though awkward, foreshadowed the challenges ahead. According to UCLA athletic director Martin Jarmond, “He was named to this role at a challenging time of the year, on the cusp of a move to a new conference, and he embraced it, putting his heart into moving the program forward. His legacy and love for this university are firmly established.”
Yet, love for the school could not compensate for the realities of a program in transition. Foster’s hiring was the result of a domino effect triggered by NFL coaching moves. When then-Boston College coach Jeff Hafley was hired as defensive coordinator by the Green Bay Packers in late January 2024, it set off a chain of rapid changes. Bill O’Brien left Ohio State to take over at Boston College, prompting Chip Kelly to depart UCLA for an offensive coordinator role at Ohio State. With the Bruins left scrambling in February, Foster—who had spent 12 of the previous 13 years on staff—was promoted in what many now see as a stopgap move.
Despite a solid finish to the 2024 campaign and a promising offseason highlighted by the transfer of quarterback Nico Iamaleava, hope quickly faded as the 2025 season began. The Bruins’ three straight losses, including the humiliating defeat to New Mexico, left the program staring down the possibility of a winless season—a fate not seen by a power conference team since Kansas in 2015. The once-hopeful narrative around Foster’s leadership unraveled rapidly, leaving UCLA “rudderless” at a pivotal moment in its history.
Behind the scenes, UCLA’s athletic department has been grappling with significant financial woes. Over the past five years, public records show deficits exceeding $200 million, exacerbated by the pandemic’s impact. These financial pressures were a key factor in the Bruins’ move to the Big Ten, lured by the promise of more than $30 million per year in additional television revenue. Yet, questions remain about whether the school is truly committed to funding football at a level necessary to compete with the conference’s elite.
The search for a new head coach now falls to Martin Jarmond, whose own leadership has come under scrutiny. While the program’s Los Angeles location remains a draw for recruits and transfers, baked-in financial challenges and a lackluster recent hiring record cast a long shadow. Since the turn of the century, the Bruins have cycled through a series of underwhelming hires—Rick Neuheisel, Jim Mora, Chip Kelly, Karl Dorrell, and now Foster—none of whom managed to elevate UCLA to sustained national relevance.
So, who’s next? The rumor mill is already churning with potential candidates. Florida State defensive coordinator Tony White, a UCLA alum with a rising national profile, is one name gaining traction. White previously spoke with UCLA before Foster’s hiring and has since helped lead Florida State to a statement win over Alabama. Kalani Sitake, the seasoned BYU coach, brings a reputation for physicality and toughness, while Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, a Los Angeles native with deep UCLA family ties, is seen as a future head coach in waiting. Boise State’s Spencer Danielson, who led the Broncos to their first College Football Playoff appearance last year, and Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi, a noted recruiter with West Coast roots, round out the list of intriguing options.
Whoever takes the helm will inherit a roster in flux. Foster and his staff brought in 30 new transfers during the offseason—second most in the Big Ten—but the early returns have been underwhelming. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava, touted as a program-changer, currently ranks 14th in the Big Ten in passing yards and QBR, with four turnovers through three games. Running back Anthony Woods has been a rare bright spot, tallying 117 rushing yards, 91 receiving yards, and a touchdown, while cornerback Rodrick Pleasant’s speed and starting experience offer some hope for the future. Still, with 14 transfers lost to other Power 4 programs and a coaching change in progress, roster stability is far from guaranteed.
Recruiting, too, hangs in the balance. Foster’s brief tenure yielded a top-25 class for 2026, anchored by offensive tackle Micah Smith, the nation’s No. 7 prospect at his position. Defensive end Carter Gooden and defensive tackle David Schwerzel are other key recruits whose commitments now appear shaky amid the uncertainty. Rivals such as Alabama, Ohio State, and Texas A&M are already circling, looking to poach talent as UCLA regroups.
There’s no sugarcoating it: UCLA football is at a critical juncture. The program’s Big Ten debut, once a source of optimism, now feels like a high-wire act without a safety net. The next coaching hire will be a defining moment—not just for the athletic department, but for the university’s place in the ever-evolving landscape of college sports. As one article put it, “At the most important moment in the history of the football program, it’s time to step to the plate and swing for the fences.”
For Bruins fans, the coming weeks promise drama, uncertainty, and—perhaps—a glimmer of hope. The search is on for a leader who can steady the ship, reignite the fan base, and restore pride to Westwood. One thing’s for sure: the stakes have never been higher.
