UCLA promotes from within and Hires Deshaun Foster to be Head Coach

© Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

With the somewhat surprising decision from Chip Kelly (click to see fellow Dawgs Tyler Bakers Breaking News) to step down as head coach of the UCLA Bruins and become the offensive coordinator for the Ohio State Buckeyes, the question became who would step into the vacant head coaching role with UCLA. As it turns out, the Bruins decided to bring back a UCLA legend DeShaun Foster to be the team's 10th head coach since 2000. Foster had previously served as the running backs coach under both Chip Kelly and Jim Mora during their tenures as head coaches for the Bruins and only 10 days ago had been hired by the Las Vegas Raiders as their running backs coach.

For Foster, the move back to UCLA was a no-brainer. Foster said, "This is a dream come true", adding "I always envisioned being a Bruin and now being the head coach at my alma mater is such a surreal feeling." ( UCLA hires DeShaun Foster: Longtime Bruins assistant, program Hall of Famer replaces Chip Kelly - CBSSports.com)

Foster was a standout in his playing days with the Bruins, 1998 - 2001, where he finished with 3,584 yards from scrimmage and 44 touchdowns. His touchdowns still rank number two in school history and third in yards from scrimmage. UCLA Athletic Director, Martin Jarmond, said in his statement that the University was looking for a coach with integrity, energy, and passion, someone who is a great teacher, is a great recruiter and fully embraces the NIL landscape to help student-athletes and Foster checked all the boxes for the University.

As the Bruins begin their time in the Big 10, Foster will be in a prove-it mode from the start as he goes from position coach to head coach. However, the Bruins did well in bringing in Foster who has a proven track record as an assistant to develop players for the NFL, such as both Joshua Kelley (drafted in 2020) and Zach Charbonnet (drafted in 2023). In Foster, they have a coach who wants to be there to help lead his alma mater and help lead the program into an exciting new era. The move also gives the Bruins a coach who has been an integral part of the program to keep its recruits and team as intact as possible.

While he does want to hit the ground running, it will be interesting to see how he fills out his coaching staff, as well as getting offensive and defensive coordinators to help him at UCLA. Foster already has a reputation for being one of the most personable and well-respected coaches in the industry. He also is on the young side of coaching, at 44 years of age he can bring new ideas to the UCLA program to help make it competitive when they begin in the Big 10 in the upcoming season.