DeShaun Foster fired as UCLA head coach

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, 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.”

UCLA made headlines this offseason when Foster and company acquired QB Nico Iamaleava in the transfer portal. The former Tennessee signal caller was in the middle of a reported NIL bidding war with the Vols and ultimately decided to leave.

Once he settled on UCLA, there were increased expectations for the Bruins considering Iamaleava helped lead Tennessee to the College Football Playoff last season. However, through three games anyway, he has 608 yards, three touchdowns, three interceptions, a 63.9% completion percentage, 139 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown.

Foster was even asked after the latest loss if he was still the right guy to be able to lead UCLA. The administration thought otherwise.

“Most definitely,” Foster said Saturday night. “(Why?) Because I can get these boys to play … “If you’re a real Bruin, you’ll still be a fan. There are plenty of programs that have had unfortunate starts who have turned stuff around. You’re either going to stick with it or not.”

As he reported Sunday, Nakos also detailed the buyout language for Foster’s contract. The Bruins owe their head coach $6.24 million. Foster’s buyout would’ve dropped from 70% of his remaining salary to 60% after Dec. 1.

Foster stepped in after Chip Kelly left Westwood to take the Ohio State offensive coordinator job in February 2024. The first-time head coach signed a five-year, $15 million deal at the time, a discount compared to Kelly’s contract.