DeShaun Foster promises a more energetic UCLA: 'This is something I'm built for'
DeShaun Foster was introduced to the UCLA Bruins football team on Monday and the atmosphere was electric. “We didn’t get somebody that wants to be a Bruin,” athletic director Martin Jarmond told the players. “We got a Bruin.” And when Foster emerged into the room the team went nuts.
Energy. That was evident in his first meeting with the team, and it was evident again on Tuesday when Foster was officially introduced as the next head coach.
“I’m telling you, this is something I’m built for. I can do this,” Foster said. “I’m gonna put all of my passion into this. I’m here for these boys. I’ve been here for them. I’m gonna get this team playing hard.”
UCLA is taking a gamble with this hire.
That has been the prevailing takeaway from the hire, made official Monday morning just days after Chip Kelly left to take the offensive coordinator position at Ohio State. Foster is a program alum, but having success at a school as a player doesn’t guarantee success as a coach.
But early impressions of Foster at least seem to promise a different energy around UCLA football.
Kelly’s tenure grew stale toward the end. Fans lost interest. Home games rarely brought out an advantage for the home team. Recruiting suffered. The needle had fallen completely over empty when it came to overall energy within the program.
Foster is reportedly getting a long-term commitment from UCLA with a five-year contract. As the Bruins transition to the Big Ten and look to reset the program, Foster’s success might be better measured in areas beyond the box score.
Does he bring boosters back into the fold? Does he bring recruits back to campus? Does he bring fans back to the Rose Bowl?
To his credit, Foster said success to him will look like “winning games.”
But Kelly won games. He registered eight wins in 2021. He reached nine wins in 2022. He won eight more games in 2023. He beat USC twice in his last three seasons.
How it looks will matter just as much for the Bruins.
“My three pillars — discipline, respect, and enthusiasm — you’re gonna see it. You’re gonna feel it,” Foster said. “We’re gonna get this Rose Bowl back to how it needs to be. We’re in L.A. This is UCLA. This is a real university, this isn’t a part-time school. We win banners in every sport, I’ve just got to get football back.
“I promise you I’m the man to do this.”
In hiring a rookie head coach, UCLA has been criticized for going with a cheaper option. The former NFL running back has 11 years of college coaching experience — 10 of which have come at UCLA. He has spent the last seven seasons coaching the Bruins’ running backs.
“I know I might not have the experience that certain other coaches have had, but I am guaranteeing you that I am prepared for this job,” Foster said. “I interviewed just like everybody else did. They came back with the best candidate.”