Former UCLA star running back DeShaun Foster has been named his alma mater’s new head football coach.
Foster, a UCLA Athletic Hall of Famer and now the 19th head coach in UCLA football history, succeeds former head coach Chip Kelly, who left the Bruins to become the offensive coordinator of the Ohio State Buckeyes.
As you could image, the former Bruin is thrilled.
“This is a dream come true,” said Foster. “I always envisioned being a Bruin ever since I was young, and now being the head coach at my alma mater is such a surreal feeling, and I’m grateful for this opportunity. The foundation of this program will be built on discipline, respect and enthusiasm. These are phenomenal young men, and I’m excited to hit the ground running.”
Foster has over 10 years of coaching experience, including 10 at UCLA and one at Texas Tech. Over the past seven seasons, he served as UCLA’s running backs coach and last season he added associate head coach to his title.
He was also nominated for the Broyles Award, which is given annually to college football’s top assistant coach.
Under Foster’s guidance, UCLA has produced one of the best rushing attacks in the nation, including three consecutive top-20 national finishes. In the 2022 season, Seahawks rookie running back Zach Charbonnet became the third player to rush for over 100 yards per game (135.9) under Foster, joining Demetric Felton Jr. (111.3 in 2020) and Joshua Kelley (113.0 in 2018).
Those players are obviously following in the footsteps of their coach, who was a record-setting running back for the Bruins. Foster finsihed his career third in rushing yards (3,194), second in TDs scored (44) and fifth in scoring (266 points).
He the played with the Carolina Panthers for seven seasons (2002-07) and one season with the 49ers (2008).
Foster returned to UCLA and graduated in 2014. In 2022, he was enshrined in the university’s Athletic Hall of Fame and a year later, he became part of the California High School Football Hall of Fame’s inaugural class for his career at Tustin High School in Tustin, Calif.
Congrats Coach Foster!
