Big Ten Coach Defends DeShaun Foster's Short UCLA Stint

Nebraska's coach cited that maybe the second-year head coach didn't have enough time in Westwood.

Nov 2, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach DeShaun Foster walks off after a timeout in the second quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images | Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Since second-year UCLA Bruins head coach DeShaun Foster was relieved of his duties a week ago, players, fans and coaches have come to his defense despite an abysmal 0-3 start to the season.

The latest coach speaking up on Foster is Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule, who reflected on his time with Foster as a graduate assistant in Westwood on his House Rhules podcast.

"“I’m sad about that,” Rhule said on his latest episode. “You know DeShaun was a player at UCLA when I was a young graduate assistant. I stayed in touch with him over the years, just here and there, and I was so happy for him when he got that job. Martin Jarmond, the Athletic Director there, is a good friend of mine. You know, I was a GA at UCLA, like I said, and I finished my Master’s Degree at Buffalo, but I love, love UCLA.

Nov 2, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule talks with officials during the second quarter against the UCLA Bruins at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images | Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

“And I love Westwood. It’s just an amazing place. It’s an amazing place and they even beat us last year. It was a devastating loss for us. In some ways, it was good for me to take a step as a head coach like ‘I need to take a step up.’ But I was happy for him. I remember texting him after the game like ‘I’m not gonna let it happen again, but proud of you for what you did.’ He got his team ready to play."

Was 15 Games Enough For Foster?

Rhule then suggested that maybe Foster didn't have enough time to truly build something at UCLA. After all, he was fired after just 15 games.

Aug 30, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach DeShaun Foster watches game action against the Utah Utes during the second half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

"Just disappointed that he only got a year and three games," he said. "In this new era, to me, we can make emotional impulsive decisions like ‘hey, this is not working for the fans.’ But do we have all the things we need to be successful? Is our NIL right? Is our roster right? I know he’s a good man and he’s a family man. Obviously, I hate that. It’s one thing when you’ve had enough time and it hasn’t worked out, but it’s just a short amount of time.”

Make sure to bookmark UCLA Bruins On SI to get all your daily UCLA Bruins news, analysis and more!

Read more on UCLA football and their second season in the Big Ten here. While you're here, check out all things UCLA basketball and Mick Cronin improving the Bruins through the transfer portal here.

Ensure you follow on X (Twitter) @UCLAInsideronSI and @cmorenoNBA to keep up with every story surrounding UCLA athletics!

Please let us know your thoughts on this when you like our Facebook page WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE.