UCLA Fires Coach After 0-3 Start in Second Season
UCLA head coach DeShaun Foster was fired by UCLA on Sunday following the team's 0-3 start in the 2025 season. This is the school's first 0-3 start since 2019. Athletic director Martin Jarmond made the announcement two days after UCLA's 35-10 loss to New Mexico, marking their second consecutive loss to a Mountain West Conference team.
Tim Skipper will take over as interim coach for the remainder of the season. Skipper, who was previously a special assistant to Foster, served as Fresno State's interim coach last year. Foster, who took over from Chip Kelly in February 2024, had a record of 5-10 during his tenure.
Jarmond expressed regret for the late start Foster had in his coaching career and acknowledged the challenges Foster faced after taking over the program relatively late in the recruiting process. Foster, a former UCLA running back, had been with the program since 2017 and was promoted to head coach in 2024.
Despite the arrival of quarterback Nico Iamaleava from the transfer portal, the team struggled under Foster's leadership. The Bruins' offense ranked 127th nationally, averaging 14.3 points per game, and they faced difficulties with penalties and slow starts in games.
Foster, who played in the NFL after his college career at UCLA, expressed disappointment in not achieving the desired success for the team and the university. UCLA Athletics will honor the terms of Foster's contract using department-generated funds.
The decision to fire Foster was influenced by the team's upcoming off week, allowing time for the team to regroup before their next game on Sept. 27. UCLA will face tough opponents in the coming weeks, including No. 2 Penn State, No. 19 Indiana, and No. 1 Ohio State.
Foster's dismissal opens a 30-day window for players to enter the transfer portal, but Jarmond stated that the team is focused on improving and turning their season around. The players are determined to make a fresh start in the Big Ten conference and work towards a better performance.