In a whirlwind of changes that's left UCLA's football program reeling, the Bruins have moved on from offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri just four games into the 2025 season. The mutual parting came on October 1, following an embarrassing 0-4 start that exposed deeper issues within the team. Sunseri, who arrived with high expectations after guiding Indiana's offense to playoff contention last year, couldn't replicate that magic in Westwood.
But the shakeup doesn't stop there. Head coach DeShaun Foster was fired two weeks earlier, part of a broader staff purge that also saw defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe shown the door. Now, Jerry Neuheisel—son of former UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel—has been elevated to the offensive coordinator role. It's a familiar name circling back, but one that carries its own baggage in a program desperate for stability. Neuheisel, previously a quality control coach and wide receivers assistant, steps into the play-calling duties amid the chaos.
Indeed, Sunseri's tenure was short-lived but telling. Hired in December 2024 with a contract topping $1 million annually—complete with a $250,000 signing bonus—the former Indiana co-OC was supposed to reinvent UCLA's stagnant offense. Yet, through those initial losses, the Bruins managed just 14 points per game on average, plagued by turnovers and ineffective quarterback play. Critics point to mismatched schemes and poor execution, though Sunseri himself emphasized adapting to new talent like freshman QB Nico Iamaleava in preseason hype.
However, this isn't UCLA's first rodeo with midseason firings. The program, now in the Big Ten, has cycled through coordinators like Eric Bieniemy just last year before Sunseri. With Neuheisel now at the helm, alongside interim head coach and defensive line coach Brian Norwood, the staff looks patchwork at best. Players and recruits alike must wonder about the direction.
Moreover, the financial hit is real—Sunseri's buyout clauses notwithstanding, these moves signal a frantic bid to salvage the season. As October unfolds, UCLA faces a gauntlet of conference games that could define more than just wins and losses.
Ultimately, whether these abrupt shifts spark a turnaround or deepen the turmoil remains to be seen, leaving fans to ponder the Bruins' fragile footing in a competitive league.