UCLA’s Deshaun Foster Roasted for Super Awkward Big Ten Press Conference

In this story:
First-year UCLA head football coach Deshaun Foster spoke at Big Ten media day on Wednesday and gave his formal introduction as Chip Kelly's replacement in a conference-wide setting in Indianapolis.
Foster began his opening statement by expressing his excitement about becoming UCLA's head coach, as well as the school's presence in the Big Ten conference for the first time.
It was a completely normal opening statement...until it wasn't.
While attempting to give the Big Ten media an understanding of UCLA football and its place in the Los Angeles area, Foster awkwardly froze and trailed off into a statement that didn't make too much sense.
"I'm sure you guys don't know too much about UCLA and our football program, but we're in LA. Um..." Foster froze. "It's us and USC. We, um...I'm just basically excited really. That's it. Any questions?"
UCLA coach DeShaun Foster's opening statement at Big Ten Football Media Day: pic.twitter.com/albWayyLA9
— John Canzano (@johncanzanobft) July 24, 2024
Hopefully Foster's UCLA squad is more prepared than he was for his opening statement on Wednesday at media day. We'll find out quickly this fall.
Here are some of the best reactions from social media after Foster's awkward opening press conference:
If there isn’t a UCLA Football- “We’re in LA, any questions?” shirt, then we have failed as a society https://t.co/BTRpSzf5zh
— Josh Kail (@THATJoshKail) July 24, 2024
Today I learned that UCLA is, in fact, located in Los Angeles. https://t.co/jOhFv2idgn
— Carter Bahns (@carterbahns) July 24, 2024
Not the most inspiring introduction to the Big Ten for UCLA https://t.co/xkXORhXoLW
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) July 24, 2024
This guy really knows how to sum up UCLA football. https://t.co/vrMoQwNw4z
— Kevin Zuercher (@kzerker_or) July 24, 2024
Doesn't sound like Foster knows much about the history of the program he was hired to coach. https://t.co/gl2T0juO2L
— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) July 24, 2024
Marketing 101: Get your name in the headlines. https://t.co/SQl1QSc4Vu
— Jordan Kaye (@jordankaye_23) July 24, 2024

Mike McDaniel is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated, where he has worked since January 2022. His work has been featured at InsideTheACC.com, SB Nation, FanSided and more. McDaniel hosts the Hokie Hangover Podcast, covering Virginia Tech athletics, as well as Basketball Conference: The ACC Football Podcast. Outside of work, he is a husband and father, and an avid golfer.
Follow mikemcdanielsi