In a move that underscores the mounting pressures on the Bruins' program, UCLA football has parted ways with offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri just four games into the 2025 season. The mutual separation, announced on September 30, comes after a dismal 0-4 start that has left fans and observers questioning the direction under interim leadership.
Sunseri, who joined UCLA from Indiana last December with high expectations to revamp the offense, now becomes the third major departure in a chaotic few weeks. Head coach DeShaun Foster was fired on September 14 following three straight losses, and defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe soon followed suit, exiting shortly after. This rapid unraveling has thrust tight ends coach Jerry Neuheisel into the play-calling role, a promotion that interim head coach Tim Skipper described as his own decision amid the turmoil.
However, the offense under Sunseri had been sputtering badly, averaging a mere 14.2 points per game and ranking near the bottom nationally. Recruited with a hefty contract topping $1 million annually, including bonuses, Sunseri was tasked with building around transfer quarterback Nico Iamaleava. Yet, the results have been frustratingly sparse, with close losses like the 17-14 defeat to Northwestern highlighting deeper issues. Indeed, the Bruins' struggles reflect a broader instability, as the team prepares for a tough matchup against No. 6 Penn State this weekend at the Rose Bowl.
Moreover, this coaching carousel isn't entirely new for UCLA, but the speed of these changes feels particularly jarring. Skipper, now at the helm, has emphasized unity, yet the departures paint a picture of hasty decisions that may compound the program's woes. Sunseri's tenure, though brief, echoed his prior successes at James Madison and Indiana, where he helped elevate quarterbacks—only to falter here in the Big Ten spotlight.
As UCLA navigates this interim phase, the search for a permanent head coach continues, with a committee of executives from the NFL and beyond leading the effort. One wonders if stability can return before the season slips further away.