UCLA Football: Two Big 10 Rival Coaches Were Candidates Before Bruins Hired DeShaun Foster

The Bruins were linked to two current Big 10 coaches before hiring Deshaun Foster.

The UCLA Bruins found their guy in Deshaun Foster. The fan base is happy, and so are the fans and alumni. However, the Bruins had other options on the table aside from Foster. 

According to CBS Sports national college football writer Dennis Dodd, the Bruins were also linked to two Big 10 coaches, Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck and Nebraska defensive coordinator Tony White. 

PJ Fleck was a top choice @UCLA, per sources. It's not clear why a deal didn't get done. Neb DC Tony White also talked to UCLA.

— Dennis Dodd (@dennisdoddcbs) February 12, 2024

According to reports, White emerged as a candidate for the UCLA job after finishing one year with the Cornhuskers. 

He led the Nebraska defense to allow just 2.97 yards per carry, which marked the first time the Huskers finished in the top half of the Big 10 in that category in a decade. 

I'm sure the fan base would have also been fine with White. The 44-year-old coordinator is a Bruin through and through. He was a three-year starter in blue and gold and served as a graduate assistant in 2007. 

As for Fleck, he emerged as a strong candidate at first, but in the past couple of died, that talk died quickly. For the past seven years, he's been coaching the Gophers, leading them to a 50-34 record plus an undefeated record in bowl games. Granted, they're not elite bowl game wins, but they are wins nonetheless.

Either of these guys, especially White would have been a great addition. Still, the Bruins are happy with Foster as they embark on this new era. 

It's going to be a fun one to witness.