Deshaun Foster’s first season as UCLA’s head coach was a rollercoaster ride, ending with a 5-7 record that left fans with mixed feelings. While expectations were high for the former Bruins star, the team’s slow start put them in a tough spot early on.
However, Foster’s impact began to show late in the season, as UCLA found its rhythm and rattled off three straight wins.
DeShaun Foster Is Looking To Bounce Back in 2025
Despite the rocky start, UCLA fans remain optimistic about the program’s future. The buzz around Westwood is growing, with several high-profile assistant coaches eyeing a move to Los Angeles.
Foster wasted no time making bold decisions, parting ways with offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and bringing in Tino Sunseri as his replacement. So, UCLA is becoming a force to be reckoned with already.
According to a report from the Los Angeles Times, UCLA Athletics is grappling with a staggering $220 million debt, having operated at a deficit for the past six years. With an annual shortfall of up to $52 million, the program is now facing a financial crossroads.
As the Bruins gear up for a new era, addressing this looming crisis has become a top priority.
Foster needs to deal with a new roster every year since the athletic department of UCLA doesn’t have funds to retain their players. So, the head coach needs to overcome this problem all by himself.
However, one could argue that he was aware of this challenging situation. Terry Donahue left the Bruins because he knew that UCLA was never ready to put any money into making them the next national contender.
College Football Network’s Oliver Hodgkinson graded “B-” in the list of ‘First-Year Head Coach Grades 2024-25’. He believes that Foster could still find a way to work out with his current roster and make a name for himself in the 2025 season.
“There was a lot of hype and fanfare around the UCLA Bruins following their hire of former player Deshaun Foster, but the 2024 season largely failed to live up to that excitement. UCLA slid over 50 spots in both offensive and defensive scoring compared to 2023. A sure sign of a coach under pressure, Foster fired offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy following the season,” Hodgkinson wrote.
“As a saving grace, the Bruins had to deal with a difficult schedule that included the two Big Ten Championship Game protagonists and only dropped one conference game compared to their previous season in the Pac-12. Meanwhile, their 2025 recruiting class was ranked 43 spots higher than in the 2024 cycle,” he added.
Despite everything, Foster has always been vocal about his love for the Bruins, and he’s trying everything from offseason’s portal acquisitions to active staff recruiting to build a strong team for the Big Ten.
Foster Will Again Have to Work Through a Tough Schedule
Reportedly, UCLA Bruins have the fifth-hardest schedule in the Big Ten 2025. UCLA will have to face two teams with one of the strongest defenses in the league and three College Football Playoff teams because of the non-conference schedule.
The Bruins are set to kick off their season at the Rose Bowl against a formidable Utah squad. Despite a challenging schedule ahead, head coach Deshaun Foster is determined to guide UCLA to bowl eligibility next season.
Learning from past missteps, Foster showed resilience in his first year, leading the team to key late-season wins. Now, he’s focused on turning those lessons into a breakthrough year for the Bruins.
KEEP READING: 2025 Way-Too-Early College Football Top 25 Power Rankings
Foster took a fresh approach to recruiting and introduced a game-changing initiative: UCLA’s Elite Prospects Day. This exclusive event brought top 2026 and 2027 recruits to Los Angeles, giving them a rare opportunity to connect with scouts and engage in face-to-face discussions with Bruins staff.
Unlike previous years, where such access was limited, Foster is ensuring that the next wave of talent sees firsthand what UCLA has to offer.
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