BREAKING: UCLA Fires Head Coach DeShaun Foster Amid Tumultuous First Season
In a stunning development out of Westwood, UCLA has reportedly fired head football coach DeShaun Foster, according to @PeteNakos_. The decision comes less than a year after Foster — a Bruins legend and former NFL running back — was elevated from running backs coach to head coach in February 2025 following the abrupt departure of Chip Kelly to Ohio State.
The move represents one of the fastest coaching turnarounds in recent Power Five memory, raising questions about UCLA’s leadership, direction, and ability to adapt in the rapidly shifting landscape of college football.
A Short-Lived Tenure for a Beloved Bruin
When DeShaun Foster was hired, the decision was initially celebrated across much of the UCLA community. A former All-American running back and one of the most productive rushers in Bruins history, Foster had deep ties to the program. Many believed his energy, charisma, and loyalty would help rejuvenate UCLA football as it entered the Big Ten Conference in 2025.
Foster had served on the Bruins’ staff for multiple seasons, primarily as a running backs coach, before being promoted to the head job. At the time, athletic director Martin Jarmond spoke glowingly about his leadership qualities, connection to players, and understanding of the school’s culture.
But the honeymoon period was short-lived.
On-Field Struggles in the Big Ten
The Bruins’ first season in the Big Ten was always expected to be a challenge. Transitioning from the Pac-12 to one of college football’s most physical conferences is no small task, particularly for a program still rebuilding its identity after the Kelly era.
Unfortunately, the results under Foster were far below expectations. UCLA opened the season with a pair of non-conference losses, including a shocking defeat to a Mountain West opponent that immediately raised red flags. Once Big Ten play began, the Bruins struggled mightily against physical fronts from teams like Michigan, Penn State, and Wisconsin.
Reports suggest internal frustrations began to surface early. Players and assistants voiced concerns about a lack of clear offensive identity, with the Bruins alternating between spread looks and traditional power sets but excelling in neither. Defensively, the team gave up big plays at an alarming rate, often looking overmatched against the conference’s elite.
Off-Field Issues and Growing Tensions
Beyond the on-field struggles, sources indicate that tensions between Foster’s staff and the athletic administration may have played a role in his firing. Recruiting — already a challenge for UCLA with its academic standards and heavy Los Angeles competition — did not appear to gain new momentum under Foster’s leadership. Several key 2026 recruits reportedly cooled on the Bruins after the team’s poor start, raising alarm bells about the program’s future talent pipeline.
There were also whispers of discord within the locker room. Some players, according to reports, questioned whether Foster’s relative inexperience at the head coaching level left him unprepared to handle the demands of leading a Big Ten program. Others defended him as a “player’s coach” who needed more time.
Still, with the college football landscape shifting rapidly — from NIL dynamics to the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff — UCLA’s administration seemingly decided it could not afford to gamble on patience.
A Risky Decision by UCLA
The firing is both bold and risky for UCLA. On one hand, the Bruins are signaling that they want to be competitive right away in the Big Ten, unwilling to let the program slip further behind as schools like Oregon, Washington, and traditional Big Ten powers position themselves for playoff contention.
On the other hand, firing a head coach less than a year into his tenure is unusual and potentially destabilizing. Foster was seen as a unifying figure, particularly for alumni and fans who remembered his playing days. Removing him so quickly could alienate some within the program and hurt UCLA’s reputation in coaching circles.
Who’s Next for UCLA?
Attention now turns to who will replace Foster. With the timing of the move, the Bruins may initially appoint an interim coach for the remainder of the season. Names to watch include current assistants with head coaching experience or established coordinators from across the country.
Long-term, UCLA will likely target a coach with proven success at the Power Five level. The move to the Big Ten has raised expectations dramatically, and the administration knows it needs a steady, experienced hand to navigate the coming years.
Potential candidates could include sitting Group of Five head coaches with upward momentum or high-profile coordinators from Big Ten and SEC programs.
DeShaun Foster’s Legacy and What’s Next
Though his time as head coach was short-lived, Foster’s connection to UCLA football remains significant. As a player, he rushed for over 3,200 yards and 44 touchdowns, cementing himself as one of the program’s all-time greats. After a seven-year NFL career with the Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers, he returned to Westwood to coach, embodying the idea of a “Bruin for life.”
It remains unclear whether Foster will seek another coaching role quickly or step away from the sidelines. Some close to him suggest he could return to a position coaching job, where he excelled at developing running backs and connecting with players.
Final Thoughts
The firing of DeShaun Foster after such a short tenure underscores the cutthroat nature of modern college football. UCLA, now entrenched in the high-stakes Big Ten, decided that immediate results outweighed loyalty or patience.
For Foster, it’s a heartbreaking end to what once seemed like a storybook chapter — a beloved alum leading his alma mater into a new era. For UCLA, it’s a gamble that could either spark a new beginning or deepen instability.
One thing is certain: the decision will be debated across college football for weeks to come, as fans, analysts, and alumni grapple with whether UCLA made the right call in pulling the plug on DeShaun Foster so soon.
Would you like me to also create a profile-style sidebar on potential replacement candidates for UCLA, giving a quick snapshot of the names that could emerge in the coaching search?
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