UCLA fired head football coach DeShaun Foster on Sunday, after a disastrous 0-3 start to the season that included two blowout losses at home.
Tim Skipper, who had been the Bruins assistant coach, will serve as interim head coach while the Bruins conduct a national search for their next head coach, UCLA Athletic Director Martin Jarmond announced.
“I want to extend my sincere appreciation to DeShaun for his contributions to UCLA Football over the course of many years, first as a Hall of Fame student-athlete, then as an assistant coach and finally as head coach,” Jarmond said. “He was named to this role at a challenging time of year, on the cusp of a move to a new conference, and he embraced it, putting his heart into moving the program forward. His legacy and love for this university are firmly established. He is a Bruin for life, and we wish him, his wife, Charity, and their family the best.”
Foster, an All-American running back at UCLA in 2001, played six seasons in the NFL, the first five for the Carolina Panthers. He was named UCLA’s head coach on Feb. 12, 2024, and guided UCLA to a 5-10 record in the team’s inaugural season in the Big 10 conference, including wins in four of their last six games.
But this season started off poorly when the Bruins dropped a 43-10 decision to Utah on Aug. 30. They lost their next game at UNLV, 30-23, after trailing 23-3 at halftime.
The death knell for Foster came Friday night at the Rose Bowl, where the Bruins, who entered the game against New Mexico as two-touchdown favorites, were easily handled by the Lobos, 35-10. New Mexico rushed for 298 yards and outscored UCLA, 21-0 in the fourth quarter.
Skipper, 47, played linebacker at Fresno State and was previously defensive coordinator at Sacramento State, interim defensive coordinator at Fresno State, assistant head coach at Colorado State, defensive coordinator at UNLV, and interim head coach during his second coaching stint at Fresno State in 2024.
The Bruins’ next game is Sept. 27 at Northwestern.
Allison Craig is a passionate sports writer and analyst with a deep love for game strategies, player performances, and the latest trends in the sports world. With years of experience covering football, basketball, tennis, and more, she delivers insightful analysis and engaging content for sports enthusiasts.
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