UCLA names DeShaun Foster head coach after Chip Kelly's departure to Ohio State

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: SEP 10 Alabama State at UCLA PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 10: UCLA Bruins running back coach DeShaun Foster during the college football game between the Alabama State Hornets and the UCLA Bruins on September 10, 2022, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) (Icon Sportswire/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

By Nick Bromberg, Yahoo Sports

February 12, 2024 at 11:27 am EST

UCLA moved quickly to find Chip Kelly’s replacement.

The school announced Monday that former Bruins running back DeShaun Foster would be its next head football coach. Foster has been UCLA’s running backs coach for the past seven seasons and was the team’s associate head coach in 2023.

"This is a dream come true," Foster said in a statement. "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. 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."