UCLA's football program has been a whirlwind of upheaval this season, starting with the abrupt firing of head coach DeShaun Foster just weeks into his tenure. On September 14, after a dismal 0-3 start that included a humiliating home loss to New Mexico, athletic director Martin Jarmond pulled the plug. Foster, hired with high hopes to revive the Bruins, lasted only 15 games overall, his brief era marked by recruiting missteps and on-field disarray. It was a move that stunned many, signaling deeper issues within the program that had simmered for years.
Enter Tim Skipper, the longtime assistant who stepped in as interim head coach. A Fresno State lifer with 25 years in college coaching, Skipper's debut didn't exactly set the world on fire—Northwestern edged out UCLA 17-14 in a gritty, low-scoring affair that left the Bruins still winless. But Skipper, ever the underdog type, kept things steady. He made waves off the field too, parting ways with offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri and promoting Jerry Neuheisel to the role. Neuheisel, a UCLA alum and former quarterback, brought fresh energy to an offense that had sputtered badly.
Then came Saturday's bombshell at the Rose Bowl. In a game no one saw coming, UCLA stunned No. 7 Penn State 42-37, erupting for a historic victory. It was the first time a team starting 0-4 or worse had toppled a top-10 opponent since 1985. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava dazzled, and the defense held just enough in the end. Indeed, the win felt like a lifeline for Skipper, who now sits at 1-4, injecting some much-needed momentum into a season that could have unraveled completely.
Behind the scenes, UCLA's search for a permanent coach is ramping up. A high-powered committee, packed with NFL execs who turned around the Washington Commanders, is leading the charge. Names are swirling—defensive minds like Tony White from Nebraska, perhaps even big swings at proven winners. But perceptions linger: Is UCLA willing to open the checkbook after years of perceived penny-pinching? The Bruins have poured millions into facilities, yet the on-field results haven't matched.
Moreover, roster stability hangs in the balance, with the transfer portal looming large after such early chaos. Skipper's steady hand has bought time, but the real test is ahead in the Big Ten grind.
As UCLA navigates this uncertain path, one can't help but wonder if this upset signals a true turnaround or just a fleeting spark.