The story of DeShaun Foster is a full-circle journey, from standout player to head coach at his alma mater, UCLA. He was named head coach of the Bruins on February 12, 2024 after spending 11 seasons honing his coaching skills at UCLA and Texas Tech. His return to Westwood is more than just a homecoming; it starts a new chapter for UCLA football.
When he was hired, Foster told the Daily Bruin that he was proud to lead his alma mater.
“This is a dream come true. 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,” Foster said. “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 broke records as a running back for the Bruins. In his senior year, he dominated the Pac-10 with 1,109 rushing yards, leading in rushing yards per game and all-purpose yards. Foster holds the record for the second-longest touchdown in UCLA history. Foster finished his college career ranked third on the UCLA all-time rushing list with 3,194 yards and second in touchdowns scored with 44.
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His college success led him to a seven-year NFL career with the Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers, where he tallied over 4,500 total yards. A standout moment in his career was his 33-yard touchdown run in Super Bowl XXXVIII with the Panthers. It was one of the longest touchdown runs in Super Bowl history as Carolina came close to upsetting the New England Patriots.
After retiring from the NFL, Foster returned to UCLA initially as a volunteer assistant in 2013. He climbed the ranks to become the running backs coach in 2017 and added the title of associate head coach in 2023. As the running backs coach, the Bruins had a rushing attack that led the Pac-12 in 2022 and 2023.
In 2023, the UCLA run game averaged 191.1 yards per game. Carson Steele and T.J. Harden led the way, ranking seventh and tenth in the conference respectively. Each of the four running backs in the rotation averaged over 5.1 yards per carry, a testament to the coaching and strategy of Foster.
In 2022, the Bruins dominated the Pac-12 with 237.2 rushing yards per game, which ranked sixth in the nation. That year, the UCLA offense averaged 503.6 total yards per game—fourth in the country. Senior running back Zach Charbonnet shined under Foster, leading the nation in all-purpose yards per game (168 yards) and rushing for a conference-best 135.9 yards per game. These achievements helped Charbonnet become the fourth Bruin running back in four years to be selected in the NFL Draft. The Seattle Seahawks picked him in the second round.
This season started off slow with a 1-5 record, but the team has since turned things around. UCLA has won three of their last four games, including a recent 20-17 victory over Iowa. Their recent wins have put them on track to qualify for a bowl game.
“The team has been playing well and doing the right thing,” Foster said after the Bruins defeated Nebraska. “And I’m just excited for this and we’re going to continue to get better as this year goes.”
As head coach, Foster brings a blend of personal experience, strategic insight, and a passion for the game that resonates with his players. For Bruins fans and players alike, Foster represents a true Bruin legacy—someone who knows what it takes to succeed on the field and is determined to inspire the next generation to reach new heights.
