UCLA Legend and Star Assistant Deshaun Foster Named New Head Coach

UCLA has appointed a program legend and long-serving assistant, Deshaun Foster, as the new head coach following the departure of Chip Kelly just a few days ago. Foster’s return to UCLA, where he previously played as a running back and later coached under Jim L. Mora and Kelly, comes after a brief tenure as the running backs coach for the Las Vegas Raiders.

Foster, who was inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022, boasts an impressive collegiate career with the Bruins from 1998 to 2001, tallying 44 touchdowns and 3,129 rushing yards – ranking among the top three in program history. Following seven seasons in the NFL, Foster transitioned to coaching at his alma mater in 2013 and solidified his role with the Bruins, primarily serving as the running backs coach through the 2023 season.

While concerns may arise regarding Foster’s lack of head coaching experience, his illustrious tenure at UCLA cements his reputation as one of the nation’s premier assistant coaches. Under Foster’s guidance, the Bruins boasted a line of 1,000-yard rushers and saw success with NFL picks like Joshua Kelley and Zach Charbonnet.

Chip Kelly’s last-minute departure put UCLA in a tough position, impacting their recruiting efforts and roster stability. Despite this, Foster’s return could inject a vigor needed to revive the program. As a personable and respected figure with proven recruiting acumen, Foster is poised to elevate UCLA’s standing and provide fresh energy to the team.