The UCLA Bruins have officially ended the DeShaun Foster experiment. The school announced on September 14 that Foster, in his second season as head coach, has been relieved of his duties following an 0-3 start, including a humiliating 35-10 home loss to New Mexico. The Bruins have now dropped three consecutive games, two of which came against Group of Five opponents, and have yet to lead in any contest this season.
Tim Skipper, a special assistant with the program, will take over as interim head coach. Foster is owed a buyout of roughly $6 million under the terms of his contract, which he signed in February 2024 for five years and $15 million. The deal was viewed as a discount compared to the contract of his predecessor, Chip Kelly, who left UCLA to become Ohio State’s offensive coordinator.
Struggles on Both Sides of the Ball
Is it a great day to be alive and to be a Bruin?
Foster’s tenure began with optimism. A former Bruin running back and NFL second-round pick in 2002, he had served as the Bruins’ running backs coach under both Jim Mora and Chip Kelly, and was credited with success developing the position. The hope was that his promotion to head coach could continue UCLA’s recent trajectory while integrating former Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava into the offense.
Instead, the Bruins have struggled mightily. They were blown out 33-0 by Utah in the season opener, followed by a loss to UNLV. Their third game, against New Mexico at home, was supposed to be a morale boost, but the Lobos dominated the team 35-10 — marking their first win over a Big Ten program. Through three games, the Bruins are averaging just 16.5 points per game (tied for 115th in FBS) while surrendering 36.5 points per game (120th), ranking 101st in offensive production and 111th in defensive efficiency.
“It’s a low point for the program,” an analyst noted. “Allowing 108 points in three games, including a loss to New Mexico, is indicative of fundamental struggles on both sides of the ball.”
Attendance and Program Momentum
UCLA has also struggled to maintain fan engagement. Attendance at the Rose Bowl has dipped by more than 50% over the last decade, averaging just 35,032 and 31,163 for its two games this season, leaving large sections of the stadium empty and covered with tarps. The Bruins’ continued relevance in a crowded Big Ten landscape — including in matchups against crosstown rival USC — is increasingly uncertain.
Foster’s Record and Contract Details
Foster ends his tenure 5-10 overall, including 3-6 in Big Ten matchups. Had they waited until after December 1, 2025 to make a move, the buyout would have decreased slightly, from 70% to 60% of his remaining salary. His contract is set to expire January 31, 2029, with buyout amounts declining further over the next several seasons:
- $3.35 million after the 2026 season
- $1.7 million after the 2027 season
- $0 after the 2028 season
The decision to fire Foster after just three games comes amid a brutal early-season schedule, with upcoming games against ranked opponents including No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 Penn State, in addition to matchups against Northwestern, Michigan State, Maryland, Indiana, Nebraska, Washington, and cross-town rival USC on November 29.
Looking Forward
Foster’s firing leaves UCLA searching for stability in its head coaching ranks — the Bruins will now be looking for their third head coach in four seasons. After taking over as a first-time head coach, Foster inherited a program in transition, but the lack of early-season success, combined with defensive struggles under second-year coordinator Ikaika Malloe, made the decision inevitable.
“Because of the late coaching cycle, there were few options available to UCLA,” said a source familiar with the program. “They turned to a program legend, but unfortunately, results did not follow.”
As UCLA enters a bye week before traveling to Northwestern on September 27, the program faces a critical stretch that will test the interim staff and any future head coach tasked with turning around a once-proud program now at risk of becoming the first power-conference team since 2015 to go winless.