UCLA Fires Coach Foster After 0-3 Season Start

UCLA fired head football coach DeShaun Foster after an 0-3 start to the 2025 season, including a heavy 35-10 loss to New Mexico, ending his tenure with a 5-10 record over 15 games. Tim Skipper, formerly a special assistant to Foster and interim coach at Fresno State, was named interim coach for the rest of the season. The Bruins' struggles this season were marked by offensive line problems, poor quarterback play from transfer Nico Iamaleava, and schematic dysfunction, with the offense ranking near the bottom nationally. Foster's dismissal triggers a coaching search where UCLA could consider candidates ranging from familiar Southern California ties like Tony White and Jonathan Smith to high-profile names such as Jimbo Fisher, Mike McCarthy, and Jon Gruden. Other potential candidates include Brent Brennan, Pat Fitzgerald, PJ Fleck, Alex Golesh, and Spencer Danielson, reflecting a broad spectrum of options from proven winners to rising stars. The coaching change also poses important decisions for players like Iamaleava, who faces uncertainty about his future at UCLA amid the regime shift and the imminent transfer portal window.