UCLA interim head coach Tim Skipper announces Bruins, DC Ikaika Malloe part ways

UCLA has parted ways with another coach following the sacking of head coach DeShaun Foster. Defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe is also out, according to Ben Bolch of The Los Angeles Times.

Malloe was in his second season as the program’s defensive coordinator and his fourth year overall at UCLA. His unit, though, has not fared well this year.

“Coach Malloe and the university have agreed to mutually part ways,” interim coach Tim Skipper said, per Tracy McDannald of UCLA On3. “I want to personally thank him for all he’s done, especially with me, having conversations and things like that and everything he’s done for this university. Just want to make sure I personally do that and get that handled. Great man right there.”

Through three games, the team ranks 118th nationally in total defense, giving up 431.0 yards per game. The unit also ranks 122nd nationally in scoring defense, yielding 36.0 points per game. Both figures rank near the bottom of the country.

Following a 43-10 loss to Utah and a 30-23 loss to UNLV, UCLA noted it needed to shake things up defensively. The plan, according to Ikaika Malloe, was to simplify things quite a bit so players could play a bit faster.

Whatever the changes were, they didn’t produce much of a different outcome in a game against New Mexico. UCLA lost 35-10, giving up 450 yards of offense in the process.

Now, UCLA will move forward with a collaborative effort on the defensive staff to make up for Ikaika Malloe’s absence. Up first for UCLA and its interim coaching staff is a road trip to Northwestern.

UCLA fires head coach DeShaun Foster

UCLA head coach DeShaun Foster was fired following an 0-3 start to the season, the school announced on Sunday. He was in the middle of his second season.

Foster finished his time at UCLA with a 5-10 record, going 5-7 in 2024. The Bruins started 1-5 but rallied down the stretch, potentially signaling good things to come. However, it was not be for Foster at his alma mater.

UCLA hit a new low Saturday, falling 35-10 to New Mexico in front of a sparse home crowd at the Rose Bowl. In fact, Foster seemed to agree with the assessment when asked.

“Yeah, it’s pretty low right now,” Foster said. “Like you said, I’ve been around this program for a long time. It’s just unfortunate what’s going on at this moment. We’re just not executing.”

On3’s Nick Kosko also contributed to this report.