UCLA Football: How Ex-All-American Bruins Defender Feels About DeShaun Foster Hire
Since UCLA announced the hiring of DeShaun Foster as the football program's new head coach, former players have voiced their support on social media and in interviews.
Anthony Barr was at the press conference on Tuesday and spoke to some media members about how excited he is to see a Bruin alumnus take over the program.
"I think it's of the utmost importance right now with the direction of the program needs to go is to have someone who has boots on the ground, has skin in the game, has blood in the game, and where his heart is is Bruin blue. I don't think that was the case with the last regime. From the outside in, I'm not sure Coach (Chip) Kelly was as invested as DeShaun will be."
Foster was a favorite within the program and through the process, the current players voiced their opinions about wanting him to take over. Nine days after accepting a job with the Las Vegas Raiders, the Bruins got the man they wanted.
Barr is also hoping that the hiring of Foster will help create a better relationship between the program and former players.
"From my perspective as a player, the relationship has never been great with the alumni. I think that needs to change. I'm not sure that's going to quantify wins but it's a culture that it brings. The culture needs to shift, needs to change and I think they are already off to a good start."
Barr admitted that he wasn't around for Kelly's introductory press conference and nobody invited him to Foster's but, it just "felt right" that he attended this one.
Judging by the room full of alumni, the hiring of Foster is the start of an exciting new chapter for the Bruins and the first-time head coach has everyone's support.
