DeShaun Foster promoted to head football coach at UCLA

Former star running back and long-time UCLA staffer DeShaun Foster has been promoted to head coach of the Bruins, the school announced on Monday. Foster had been working under at his alma mater for most of the last decade, spending time as a student assistant (2013), graduate assistant (2014-15), director of player development (2016) and most recently as the running backs coach (2017-23) under head coaches Jim Mora and Chip Kelly.

“While undergoing a comprehensive search for our new head coach, DeShaun resonated from the start and throughout the whole process,” AD Martin Jarmond said. “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 a native of Southern California and played for the Bruins from 1998-2001, rushing for over 3o00 yards and scoring 43 total touchdowns in the blue and gold. He currently ranks fifth in program history in career yardage and set a record in 2001 rushing 301 yards in a single game (a total only exceeded once in the 20+ seasons since). He was drafted 34th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers, playing with the team for five seasons before finishing his career in 2008 with the San Francisco 49ers.

“This is a dream come true,” Foster said. “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 replaces Chip Kelly, who led the Bruins for the last six seasons before leaving last week to take the OC job at Ohio State. The team is coning off a 8-5 season in which they won the LA Bowl and will enter its first season of Big Ten play in 2024. The Bruins and Buckeyes will not play each other this year but they will face off in Columbus in 2025.

credit to UCLA Athletics for the image