UCLA appoints former star running back as new head football coach

Will Conybeare
·2 min read
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The latest era in UCLA football began on Monday when the school announced the hiring of a new head coach.

DeShaun Foster, who was described by UCLA Athletics as a “leader of young men and a true Bruin” is a UCLA Hall of Fame player, seven-year NFL veteran and longtime UCLA football assistant coach who also briefly served as the running backs coach at Texas Tech University.

Now, he’s risen to the rank of head coach of his alma mater.

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The Tustin High School graduate was nominated for the 2022 Broyles Award, an annual award presented to college football’s top assistant coach.

According to UCLA athletics department officials, appointing Foster was an easy decision.

“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 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,” Jarmond added.

UCLA announces appointment of former star running back as new head football coach
UCLA announces appointment of former star running back as new head football coach

As for Foster, he could not be more excited to take charge of the team he used to be a key part of.

“This is a dream come true…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,” he said. “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.”

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Foster had taken the job as the Las Vegas Raiders running backs coach earlier this month, according to ESPN.

He replaces the outgoing Chip Kelly, who joined new conference rivals Ohio State University as their offensive coordinator after six years as UCLA’s head coach.

UCLA will play their first season in the Big Ten conference in the upcoming 2024-25 season.

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