UCLA Football: Current And Former Bruins Players React To DeShaun Foster Hire

Foster seems to be a major hit with past and present players within the program.

For better or worse, the decision to hire DeShaun Foster as the team's head coach has certainly made waves across your UCLA Bruins' universe. 

The longtime running backs coach was surprisingly chosen as the team's replacement after Chip Kelly left to take the offensive coordinator position at Ohio State. 

Having preexisting relationships with virtually all of the current team members, it's not a shock to see that many of them were elated over Foster's new role within the program: 

Messages of support are pouring in for Coach Foster! 💙💛 #GoBruins pic.twitter.com/R3jYQTyjse

— UCLA Football (@UCLAFootball) February 12, 2024

Current players and past players of the program went on social media to voice their excitement. Some of them played under Foster over the last few years. Others played with Foster as ex-teammates. A few had no affiliation with Foster directly other than similarly being ex-Bruin football players. 

There were even some former UCLA athletes who played other sports (most notably Matt Barnes and Earl Watson) who praised the hire. 

In terms of the current crop of Bruins, Foster seemingly garnered endorsements over X from projected starting QB Ethan Garbers, projected starting RB TJ Harden, and projected lead receiver J. Michael Sturdivant. 

5 reasons I like Deshaun Foster as Head Coach at UCLA.

1. He cares about UCLA
2. Good recruiter
3. Knows Ball
4. He’s young and energetic
5. Well respected and will be able to hire a good staff. pic.twitter.com/wkjhZhGL4k

— George Wrighster III (@georgewrighster) February 12, 2024

Instituting Foster as the head coach can pay immediate dividends. 

Foster has familiarity with the roster. He's recruited more than a handful of these players to the program. He also has a very good reputation as a player for both UCLA and in the NFL. 

In short, there's a strong gravitas present. With all of these elements, there's a world in which Foster can convince players on the team to stay at UCLA rather than enter the transfer portal. 

Foster will have to do just that, as it wouldn't be a surprise to see other programs try and lure a few of the team's better players (Sturdivant, Harden, Jay Toia, Kain Medrano) away with lucrative NIL packages.