The DeShaun Foster chapter at UCLA has come to a sudden and disappointing conclusion. After just 15 games and a meager five wins, the former star running back saw his dream of revitalizing his alma mater cut short following an abysmal 0-3 start to the season.

Following back-to-back losses to Mountain West teams, university officials decided enough was enough. Athletic Director Martin Jarmond, in consultation with Chancellor Julio Frenk, made the bold move to dismiss Foster, signaling that the Bruins would no longer tolerate mediocrity.

Tim Skipper, who previously served as a head coach at Fresno State, steps in as the interim head coach while the search for a permanent replacement gets underway. UCLA has been on the receiving end of relentless ridicule, having been outscored 108-43 in their opening three games, which left them at the bottom of both the Mountain West and Big Ten standings.

Jarmond explained his swift decision, noting the bye week provided an opportunity for players to regroup and reassess their strategies heading into the next phase of the season against Northwestern.

"I wanted to show our fans that this is not the standard we expect from Bruin football," said Jarmond, who shouldered the blame for hiring Foster in February without adequate preparation time.

Foster, who ends his tenure with a 5-10 record, will receive approximately $6.43 million in buyout funds, as stipulated in his contract. In a statement, he expressed his gratitude for having coached at UCLA but lamented the failure to achieve the anticipated success.

With the coaching change, a 30-day transfer window opens for players contemplating leaving the Bruins. Six recruits have already backed out, including four-star offensive tackle Johnnie Jones and three-star defensive lineman Anthony Jones.

As UCLA searches for a new head coach, the objective is clear: find someone who embodies the university’s core values—respect and integrity—with a vision to elevate the program to new heights.

Jarmond emphasized the critical nature of this search, especially after his hasty recruitment of Foster raised eyebrows due to the coach's lack of experience. Foster’s shortcomings were evidently magnified this season, where his team struggled to generate offense, hit hard with penalties, and failed to secure leads.

In his own words, Foster acknowledged responsibility for the team's ongoing issues, a move that could be seen as both honest and strategic amidst the turmoil.

As Foster steps away, the next coach faces the monumental task of reshaping a once-proud program back into a competitive force in college football. Buckle up, Bruins fans; the hunt for a new leader begins now.