UCLA Names DeShaun Foster Head Football Coach

It’s a new era for the UCLA Bruins.

UCLA announced Monday that former Bruins star DeShaun Foster will take over as the program’s new head coach. He replaces former coach Chip Kelly, who resigned Friday to become offensive coordinator at Ohio State.

“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.”

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

The former running back earned second-team All-America honors with UCLA in 2001 and was inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame in ’02. He was selected in the second round of the the 2001 NFL draft by the Carolina Panthers, for whom he played six years. He missed his entire rookie season due to an injury.

The Panthers released him in 2008, and he signed with the San Francisco 49ers later that same year. It would be his last season in the NFL. Over his six-year career, he tallied 3,570 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in 79 games. 

Foster started his coaching career with UCLA in 2013 and had a stint as an assistant with Texas Tech before eventually returning to the Bruins in 2017 as their running backs coach. He’s held the position ever since, and now he’ll lead his alma mater in 2024. The Bruins went 8–5 overall and 4–5 in Pac-12 play this past season under Kelly.

UCLA begins its first season in the Big Ten later this year. The Bruins kick off the ’24 season on Aug. 31 at Hawaii.