UCLA Football Coach DeShaun Foster Fired After Poor Start

LOS ANGELES, California — DeShaun Foster has been fired as head coach of the UCLA Bruins after a disappointing start to the 2025 season. The decision follows a 35-10 loss to New Mexico last Friday, which dropped the Bruins to 0-3.

UCLA’s recent struggles prompted speculation about Foster’s future in the role, especially with the team’s ongoing performance issues. The Bruins lost to two teams from the Mountain West Conference prior to the New Mexico game, raising alarms among fans and analysts alike.

Foster, a former star running back at UCLA, finished with a record of 5-10 over his one full season as head coach. His tenure has been marked by a string of losses and immersion in controversy, as the Bruins committed numerous penalties in their games, totaling 13 penalties for 116 yards against New Mexico alone. Foster admitted after the game that he was unable to provide solutions to the team’s discipline issues.

A person familiar with the situation confirmed Foster’s dismissal on Sunday, stating that the program is looking to move forward and revitalize its reputation after struggling in recent years. Tim Skipper has been named interim head coach while the university launches a search for a permanent replacement.

Foster expressed gratitude for his time with the Bruins, saying, “Serving as the head coach at UCLA, my beloved alma mater, has been the honor of a lifetime.” However, his 0-3 start in what was supposed to be a manageable segment of the schedule raised immediate concerns about the team’s prospects for the remainder of the season.

UCLA Athletic Director Martin Jarmond’s decision to hire Foster had also come under scrutiny. Jarmond previously faced backlash for retaining the former coach after years of underperformance. The athletic director now must find someone capable of rejuvenating the program as it prepares for future challenges in the Big Ten.

UCLA players will now look to regroup under Skipper as they aim to secure their first win of the season against upcoming opponents Northwestern and Maryland.