UCLA hires former Bruin
DeShaun Foster is the next head coach
It has been well documented that Chip Kelly has vacated his seat at UCLA to join the Ohio State Buckeyes as their Offensive Coordinator starting next season. So, UCLA hires a former Bruin in hopes of more longevity and loyalty moving forward.
A leader of young men and a true Bruin. Introducing UCLA Football Head Coach DeShaun Foster.
➡️ https://t.co/v1lb7NlDDf#GoBruins pic.twitter.com/pNPiowhyuT
— UCLA Football (@UCLAFootball) February 12, 2024
Will be his 8th year at UCLA
The running backs coach from UCLA, who is an alumnus of the same school, had been working with the program for the last seven seasons. He joined the program after Kelly was hired for the 2017 season. However, in February, he accepted a role as the running backs coach for the Las Vegas Raiders, which caused a brief pause in his time at Westwood.
Foster, who is 44 years old, played a significant role in developing the Bruins’ running back unit, which has consistently produced NFL-level talent over the last few seasons. In the last four years, a running back from the program has been selected in the NFL Draft, including Joshua Kelley, Demetric Felton Jr., Brittain Brown, and Zach Charbonnet.
Foster, who also served as the team’s associate head coach last season, replaces Kelly, who was named Ohio State’s offensive coordinator on Friday
“While undergoing a comprehensive search for our new head coach, DeShaun resonated from the start and throughout the whole process,” UCLA athletic director Martin Jarmond said in a press release. “We are looking for a coach with integrity, energy and passion; someone who is a great teacher, who develops young men, is a great recruiter and fully embraces the NIL landscape to help our student-athletes. DeShaun checks all of those boxes and then some. He is a leader of men and a true Bruin. I am excited to partner with him as we usher UCLA Football into an exciting new era.”
Foster is one of the most decorated running backs in the program’s history. He immediately accomplished major feats, rushing for 673 yards and 10 touchdowns as a true freshman in 1998. After dealing with injuries for much of his sophomore season, he rushed for 1,037 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2000. As a senior, Foster rushed for 1,109 yards and 12 touchdowns while receiving second-team All-American honors.
A Dream Come True
“This is a dream come true,” Foster said in the press release. “I always envisioned being a Bruin ever since I was young, and now being the head coach at my alma mater is such a surreal feeling, and I’m grateful for this opportunity. The foundation of this program will be built on discipline, respect, and enthusiasm. These are phenomenal young men, and I’m excited to hit the ground running.”
Foster played seven seasons in the NFL following his career at UCLA, helping the Carolina Panthers reach the Super Bowl in 2003. He rushed for a 33-yard touchdown in the Super Bowl XXXVIII loss.
Five years after his playing career ended, Foster joined UCLA’s coaching staff as a student and graduate assistant. He served as Texas Tech’s running backs coach in 2016 before returning to UCLA in 2017.
UCLA has reached the eight-win mark in each of the last three seasons, going 25-13 in that span as it prepares to enter the Big Ten in 2024.