2026 FB Coaching Carousel

[Dell Husker]

UCLA
Deshaun Foster >

Virginia Tech
Brent Pry >

 

[Dell Husker]

 

[Tonkasker]

Expectation up here is that Fleck will be in the mix at UCLA.

He left them at the altar two years ago and is ultimately the reason they pivoted to Foster. They were a few million apart on the total pool for staff and player compensation. Sold his custom built primary residence not long ago. Per a guy I know who worked on it he was extremely anal retentive about the build process (of course) so it was a bit of a surprise. He would occasionally stop by and bother all the subcontractors with a ton of questions about building practices

 

[jaihawk]

Expectation up here is that Fleck will be in the mix at UCLA.

He left them at the altar two years ago and is ultimately the reason they pivoted to Foster. They were a few million apart on the total pool for staff and player compensation. Sold his custom built primary residence not long ago. Per a guy I know who worked on it he was extremely anal retentive about the build process (of course) so it was a bit of a surprise. He would occasionally stop by and bother all the subcontractors with a ton of questions about building practices

That would surprise me. Everything that I've read has stated that UCLA's Athletic Department is essentially poor. They're having to pay out money for leaving the Pac-12, they don't have much money in NIL available, etc...

 

[cwessel76]

I wouldn’t touch UCLA with a 10 ft pole

 

[Irv]

Hate Fleck. And he would be a great hire for them.

 

[Hedley Lamarr]

That would surprise me. Everything that I've read has stated that UCLA's Athletic Department is essentially poor. They're having to pay out money for leaving the Pac-12, they don't have much money in NIL available, etc...

Haven't they ran at like a 200 million dollar deficit over the last 6 years or so?

 

[Irv]

Feldman says the USC DC is the frontrunner, if he wants it.

 

[Tonkasker]

Feldman says the USC DC is the frontrunner, if he wants it.

Makes sense, he can't be as picky as tony white

 

[...TrueColors...]

UCLA is going to have to go cheap.

 

[Dell Husker]

Anyone?

 

[Dr.DrakeRamoray]

Anyone?

Cliffs for us who don’t support dean o cucklahan?

 

[GBRRCJH24]

The college football coaching carousel is officially spinning. UCLA fired head coach DeShaun Foster on Sunday morning following the Bruins’ 35-10 loss to New Mexico on Friday night. UCLA started the season 0-3.

Foster’s buyout will be north of $7 million. How much UCLA will commit to football is a big question. On3 is breaking down the candidates in the mix to replace DeShaun Foster at UCLA:

Dave Aranda​

Dave Aranda coached his way off the hot seat a year ago and is off to a 2-1 start in 2025. The Southern California native is 33-31 since taking the Baylor job in 2020 and won a conference title in 2021. Speaking with sources, it appears that Aranda may consider moving back to the West Coast, closer to home. Baylor might have better resources at this point, but the draw to go closer to home and play in the Big Ten is there

Brent Brennan​

A UCLA alum, Brent Brennan, built his coaching resume by recruiting the West Coast. He has connections to Los Angeles, Hawaii and Washington. He’s only in Year 2 at Arizona, but he’s already faced some pressure with a new athletic director and a 4–8 mark in 2024. But he’s off to a 3-0 start in 2025 and went to three bowl games at San Jose State. If UCLA wants its next hire to have head coaching experience and local roots, it could be an appealing move for Brennan.

Pat Fitzgerald​

Northwestern and former football coach Pat Fitzgerald settled the lawsuit, which was filed by Fitzgerald after his dismissal from the school two years ago, in August. He’s now officially back in the market for a head coaching job. While he might be known for his Midwest roots and could be a top name at Cockeye when Kirk Ferentz retires, he won 110 games during his tenure at Northwestern. UCLA might be attracted to the stability he could bring.

Ben Arbuckle​

Brent Venables needed his offense to get right ahead of the 2025 season. He turned to Washington State offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, who brought quarterback John Mateer with him. Arbuckle is only 29 years old, but has proved to be one of the brighter offensive minds. He doesn’t have front-office experience and hasn’t recruited much in the Power Four, but UCLA could be drawn by his offensive playcalling.

D’Anton Lynn​

While leaving the cross-town rival might not be in the cards for D’Anton Lynn, his name will be tied to the UCLA job. Before taking the USC job ahead of the 2024 season, he spent 2023 as the Bruins’ defensive coordinator. He also has NFL experience, and an interesting wrinkle to keep note of: His father is the former Los Angeles Chargers head coach, Anthony Lynn, who could help his son run a college program.

Tosh Lupoi​

One of the first hires made by Dan Lanning at Oregon, Tosh Lupoi has been a key recruiter for the Ducks in recent years. Lupoi spent five seasons at Alabama, helping the Crimson Tide reach the College Football Playoff every year and the CFP National Championship Game four times before spending time at the NFL level.

Will Stein​

Stein has succeeded with Bo Nix at quarterback. He’s succeeded with Dillon Gabriel at QB. And to this point, he’s been successful with Dante Moore. Stein is a Louisville native and former Cardinal quarterback, but he’s also worked in the high school and college ranks at Texas and has spent the past two years succeeding on the West Coast. Unlike most coaches, he probably won’t be limited by geography.

Tony White​

Tony White is a former UCLA linebacker and team captain who cut his teeth working for Rocky Long at San Diego State and specializing in the 3-3-5 defense. White became Arizona State’s defensive coordinator in 2019 before moving to Syracuse and later Nebraska. His Huskers ranked in the top-10 in points per drive in 2023. He’s now in his first season at Florida State and interviewed for the UCLA job the last go-around.