With the news that UCLA had relieved head football coach DeShaun Foster of his duties, the expected backlash on social media did happen, but not how it may have been expected.
Usually in these situations, fans immediately begin to lash out at the fired coach with everything they have, especially when the season begins as the Bruins did with three lopsided losses and a team that looked like they were lost on the field.
But in the case of someone who is as beloved with the UCLA fan base as Foster, fans looked in a different direction - specifically at athletic director Martin Jarmond and other school executives.
He is. Dude set Deshaun Foster up for failure by being negligent in his own job. I won’t ever hate Deshaun, he’s blue and gold through and through.
— Rando (@ClassicAhole1) September 14, 2025
Me, after learning Deshaun Foster was fired but not Martin Jarmond:@UCLAchancellor pic.twitter.com/neOpcLHAZw
— Jason Ruiz 🐀 (@JasonRuiz_LB) September 14, 2025
Our @billplaschke says that UCLA can't afford to let Martin Jarmond hire its next football coach after failing to fire Chip Kelly and bungling the DeShaun Foster hire. https://t.co/oreKnfeaAT
— Ben Bolch (@latbbolch) September 14, 2025
Obviously needed some kind of support from the administration. Instead was hung out to dry.
— RealDeanius (@dizzyHB) September 14, 2025
Jarmond was never going to hire him. Went through the motions to create the illusion of a national search.
— Friend of the Program (@TheFOTP) September 14, 2025
It was DeShaun Foster all along.
Nobody on earth is happier about this than DeShaun Foster. It might be time for UCLA to question whether or not they even want to go forward with the program.
— J.D. Hammerstein (@Glanzyspudding) September 14, 2025
Fact! AD should go as well. DeShaun went from position coach to HC, which is a giant leap for anyone. And how could Foster say no to coaching his Alma mater?
— hardKnoxlifeAF (@volfaninlouisi1) September 14, 2025
I have nothing against DeShaun Foster himself. Just a bad decision by the AD for a lazy hire/move.
— Coaster (@coasterfreek) September 14, 2025
But many posts directed specifically at Foster seemed to be positive and even supportive of the estranged coach.
As much as UCLA struggled under DeShaun Foster, I’m genuinely curious how this weekend has been for him. A longtime Bruin who loved UCLA, but probably wasn’t made to be HC.
— Ira Gorawara (@IraGorawara) September 15, 2025
Looks like he’s taking the day with family, a day after a big celebration for his daughter’s 2nd birthday. pic.twitter.com/o1HLvGgrD8
DeShaun Foster out at UCLA. I was hoping it would work out for him, i was a fan of his when he tore it up on the field for them.
— Saturday Afternoon Slate (@BarryCollegeSC) September 14, 2025
The job will now fall on Jarmond to find a replacement for Foster, and if this hire goes anywhere near as badly, it's certain he will be next in the unemployment line.
UCLA has a lot of viable options for a head coach, and as part of the Big Ten has a lot to offer the right candidate.
Tim Skipper has his work cut out for him for the remainder of the 2025 season, with the Bruins set to face four current Top 25 teams, including No. 1 Ohio State on November 15. This could be an even longer season than anticipated for UCLA fans.