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The UCLA football team has relieved head coach DeShaun Foster of his duties just three games into the 2025 season. That decision gives transfer quarterback Nico Iamaleava an out following a disastrous offseason move.
Bruins players will soon be able to enter the portal. The passer will have 30 days to choose a new school.
Virginia Tech & UCLA firing coaches after only 3 games means players can still redshirt and a 30-day transfer portal window opens tomorrow for their players.
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) September 14, 2025
UCLA has fired DeShaun Foster
The news comes after an 0-3 start to the year. Foster was hired just two years prior. The pairing has been a major letdown across 1+ seasons.
The Bruins went 5-7 last year. As a result, he made major moves in the transfer portal during the offseason.
The headliner in his transfer class was Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who left Knoxville amid controversy. The passer reportedly made NIL and roster demands to the coaching staff. They refused to bend the knee.
He left the Vols in the spring to sign with UCLA. That decision sparked a domino effect that eventually led Bruins QB Joey Aguilar to fill Iamaleava’s void under center at Tennessee.
It’s worked out great for Aguilar, who’s expressed gratitude for his new opportunity. The Vols are 2-1 with an overtime loss to Georgia. They are a missed field goal away from being perfect.
Things have gone in the opposite direction in Los Angeles.
UCLA Football Head Coach DeShaun Foster has been relieved of his duties.
➡️ https://t.co/6mRKqVKquB pic.twitter.com/fWyISTpEax
— UCLA Football (@UCLAFootball) September 14, 2025
“I want to extend my sincere appreciation to DeShaun for his contributions to UCLA Football over the course of many years, first as a Hall of Fame student-athlete, then as an assistant coach and finally as head coach,” said AD Martin Jarmond.
“He was named to this role at a challenging time of year, on the cusp of a move to a new conference, and he embraced it, putting his heart into moving the program forward. His legacy and love for this university are firmly established. He is a Bruin for life, and we wish him, his wife, Charity, and their family the best.”
DeShaun Foster’s firing will have major impacts on the roster moving forward. NCAA rule states that a 30-day transfer window will soon open for all players.
Will Nico Iamaleava transfer?
Online speculation is running rampant. The marriage between the Bruins and its starting signal caller is failing.
Iamaleava’s averaging just over 200 yards per game with as many picks as touchdown passes. UCLA has now lost to Utah, UNLV, and New Mexico in consecutive weeks.
The Bruins have been outscored 108-43. The offense ranks 126th in the nation in points per game.
That result could’ve been predicted entering the season. Iamaleava left a proven offense for one with a first-year play caller.
Now, the quarterback could theoretically wipe his hands clean of UCLA and start anew. Should he enter the transfer portal, Iamaleava could redshirt having played just three games.
It would be as if the season never happened, at least in terms of eligibility.
Unfortunately, the offseason drama might lead potential suitors to be hesitant of accepting the passer’s commitment should he ultimately opt to leave Los Angeles. It will be a storyline to follow as the 2025 season continues on.