News Summary
UCLA’s football program has parted ways with head coach DeShaun Foster after a disappointing start to the season, resulting in three consecutive losses. Despite a brief improvement in the previous season, the Bruins have struggled significantly in their recent games, leading to concerns about the team’s future. Athletic director Martin Jarmond announced the decision, citing challenges related to the team’s performance and transition within the conference. Tim Skipper will serve as interim head coach as the university seeks to find a suitable replacement and address recent recruiting setbacks stemming from this coaching change.
Los Angeles – UCLA has fired football coach DeShaun Foster after a disappointing 0-3 start to the 2025 season. The decision, made on Sunday, September 24, 2025, comes after the Bruins experienced significant struggles in both their performance and player development under Foster, who was in his second year as head coach.
Foster’s tenure began with a promising record of 5-7 last season, including a notable turnaround in the latter half where the team finished 4-2. However, the current season has seen the Bruins suffer a 43-10 defeat to Utah in their home opener, followed by a narrow 30-23 loss to UNLV. The most alarming defeat came against New Mexico, where UCLA suffered a shocking 35-10 loss to a team projected to finish 11th in the Mountain West Conference. This lack of success raised serious concerns about UCLA’s prospects moving forward.
Following the loss to New Mexico, Foster expressed a sense of despair regarding the team’s performance, noting that the current situation felt “pretty low.” As the result of the disappointing start, UCLA decided to part ways with Foster, despite the fact that he had recruited talented players such as former Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava. Problems on the field included a struggling offense under new coordinator Tino Sunseri and inadequate support from the offensive line. On the defensive side, UCLA allowed an average of 431 yards per game, ranking lowest in the Big Ten and 118th nationally.
UCLA’s athletic director, Martin Jarmond, expressed regret about placing Foster in a challenging position with the program’s transition to the Big Ten and the impact of a late start to the season. He confirmed that the decision was made after discussions with UCLA chancellor Julio Frenk. Jarmond also confirmed that Foster’s contract would be honored, which includes a buyout exceeding $5 million. The timing of the announcement means that if UCLA had waited until after December 2, the financial implications would have been lessened.
In the wake of Foster’s departure, Tim Skipper, who served as Foster’s special assistant, will step in as interim head coach for the remainder of the season. The school is now embarking on a search for a new head coach, with Jarmond and executive senior associate athletic director Erin Adkins leading the effort. They plan to work with a soon-to-be-formed committee to identify potential candidates.
Jarmond highlighted that the search conditions differ from those in the past and stressed the appeal of the position as well as the support available for the new coaching staff. However, the recent upheaval has already had ramifications on recruiting, as three commitments from UCLA’s 2026 recruiting class, including four-star offensive tackle Johnnie Jones, have decommitted following Foster’s firing.
This decision falls within a tumultuous period for UCLA football, as the team has not reached the Rose Bowl since 1997. Supporters had hoped that Foster could revive the program, especially after showing signs of improvement last season. However, the ongoing struggles and early-season losses have left many questioning the team’s direction and whether it could secure a win during what was projected to be a manageable part of the schedule.
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Additional Resources
- ESPN: Sources: UCLA Fires DeShaun Foster After 0-3 Start
- Wikipedia: UCLA Bruins Football
- CBS Sports: Coaching Candidates for UCLA After Foster’s Firing
- Google Search: UCLA Football Coaching Search
- LA Times: UCLA Athletic Director’s Comments on Coaching Situation
- Google Scholar: UCLA Football Management
- UCLA Bruins: Deshaun Foster Relieved of Duties
- Encyclopedia Britannica: UCLA
- New York Times: UCLA’s Coaching Search Post-Foster
- Google News: UCLA Football
Author: STAFF HERE BEVERLY HILLS WRITER
The Beverly Hills Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREBeverlyHills.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance, the Beverly Hills artSHOW, Concerts on Canon, and holiday celebrations throughout the city. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce and Visit Beverly Hills, plus leading businesses in luxury fashion, hospitality, and entertainment that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELosAngeles.com, HERESantaAna.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, and HERECostaMesa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
