UCLA was put in a difficult situation when former Bruin head football coach announced that he was leaving to become the offensive coordinator at Ohio State. The decision by him to leave after signing day and before the beginning of Spring practice had put the Bruins in a difficult spot. However, they announced today their new head coach.
There were plenty of rumors swirling around about who would be the next UCLA head football coach. The Bruins decided to hire Foster who played his colligate football at UCLA from 1998 to 2001 and coached the Bruins as their running backs coach from (2017–2023). He was currently for a brief period of time the running backs coach for the Las Vegas Raiders before he was announced as the new head coach for UCLA.
Here are some reactions from fans, media members, and others about the hire of Deshaun Foster.
5 reasons I like Deshaun Foster as Head Coach at UCLA.
— George Wrighster III (@georgewrighster) February 12, 2024
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
A source in UCLA's meeting this morning to introduce coach DeShaun Foster described the players' reaction as "one of the most ecstatic environments I've been in."
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) February 12, 2024
"He is really well respected by the players and the rest of the staff."
— UCLAonBTN (@UCLAOnBTN) February 12, 2024
🗣️ @BruceFeldmanCFB, on new @UCLAFootball coach DeShaun Foster#B1Gtoday pic.twitter.com/pyhpJCMlOx
When you talk to folks inside college football about who are the nicest guys coaching, just genuine folks, names mentioned most are #Michigan coach Sherrone Moore, #Alabama coach William Inge and new #UCLA head coach DeShaun Foster. https://t.co/ZMx5uHpLTa
— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong247) February 12, 2024
DeShaun is a great person and awesome Bruin, but no, when Tony White was available and wanted the job, White should’ve been the choice here.
— Peter Eric (@4thGenBruin) February 12, 2024
And I personally don’t value “program continuity” when the program had the chance to have a much-needed complete and total reset.
Agree with the last part.
— UCLA Football Countdown (@CountdownUcla) February 12, 2024
Even if you're disappointed in the hire, give it 24 hours to digest, and then we need to rally around this team and help the DeShaun Foster era be a successful one.#UCLA https://t.co/hJI0dCsbzb
Very possible DeShaun Foster doesn't succeed at UCLA. First-time HC. Never been a coordinator. But he knows Westwood. Dabo Swinney was a position coach when he revived Clemson. Shine might be off Dabo now but I'll take what he did there. Foster winning in L.A. would be massive.
— Eric Stephens (@icemancometh) February 12, 2024
The reactions for the most part have been positive from members of the media and fans of college football. The majority of the UCLA fans on social media have had positive things to say about the hiring of DeShaun Foster as well.