PASADENA, Calif.-- With a full offseason nearly under his belt for the first time after taking over the Bruins program in Feb. 2024, putting him behind schedule, UCLA football head coach Deshaun Foster is finding familiarity in his second season.
After a brutal head coaching debut in 2024, leading the Bruins to a 5-7 record and going 2-4 in the Big Ten, Foster is already learning what a difference year two makes as a head coach.
"You're just in familiar territory. So it's just more of being more comfortable and kind of anticipating what's happening and reacting to it," Foster said. "I know what to expect going into my first spring practice because I've done that before. Then the whole process was something else, repeat."
Deshaun Foster on the differences he’s learned as a head coach from year 1 to 2
— Thomas Murray (@Thomas_L_Murray) May 3, 2025
“You’re just in familiar territory. So it’s more of just being more comfortable anticipating what’s happening and reacting to it.” @SportingTrib pic.twitter.com/1wliwKgAmB
While Foster is relishing in a new season coaching the Bruins, he has focused on building a community and culture among a team that has seen a lot of change over the offseason.
Offensive lineman Julian Armella said the team has done a great job at getting everyone together and bringing them in as a unit.
"Bringing us to Top Golf, or taking us and having a nice little day adventure whether it be no full padded practice, we're gonna go to the pool. Or we're gonna do 'X, Y, and Z," Armella said. "So just being able to have that brotherhood and that bond has been the main thing."
Scott White has been coaching at UCLA since 2015 as the linebackers and special teams coach. Linebacker Isaiah Chisom credits White for his contributions to the culture that has been instilled among the roster.
"He's probably the coolest guy I've probably ever met. Some of the days before the walkthrough we just go in the linebacker room and not even watch film," Chisom said. " We're just watching a movie. That type of connection with your coach. Whether the player is able to just come in there and we can just kick it in the linebacker room and watch a movie before we have to get serious. I think that just allows everybody to feel comfortable and trust you."
While White has been one of the longer tenured coaches, UCLA had a few holes to fill across the staff. One of them included the offensive coordinator position as Eric Bienemy is no longer with the team and Tino Sunseri has come from Indiana and will be calling plays for the Bruins.
On Saturday, fans got a taste of what Sunseri will bring to the offense. T
The result you might ask?
Ric Tapia - The Sporting Tribune
Jaedon Wilson #11 straight arms Jadyn Hudson #27 during the UCLA Football Spring Showcase at Rose Bowl Stadium on May 3, 2025 in Pasadena, California.
The Bruins' offense finished the day with six total touchdowns. Two of them came during the goal line period four of them were long 40-yard drives. Two of those drives ended in 40 plus yard touchdown receptions by Troy Leigber.
The Bruins would've had another touchdown for a big gain if backup quarterback Luke Duncan and wide receiver Kwazi Gilmer were on the same page in the third period, as Duncan just overthrew Gilmer on a go route.
While the offense had plenty of success, the defense's day looked just as good.
UCLA's defense had three sacks on the quarterback and had two interceptions. Including one on the very last play of practice when edge rusher Scott Taylor dropped back into coverage and tipped the ball in the air to himself for an interception to end the day.
Foster was enthusiastic about his team's performance overall throughout this past spring.
When asked which area Foster thought stood out over the last month, he said the offensive line.
"That was a group that a lot of parts left, and a lot came in," Foster said. "So they hadn't played together. The only returner was (Sam Yoon) and (Garret DiGorgio)."
Nico Iamaleava makes his Rose Bowl Debut
Ric Tapia - The Sporting Tribune
Nico Iamaleava, Madden Iamaleava and Jake Iamaleava poses for a photo on the sideline during the UCLA Football Spring Showcase at Rose Bowl Stadium on May 3, 2025 in Pasadena, California.
While Duncan is currently the backup quarterback for the Bruins, he took a majority of the snaps behind center as future starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava has officially signed with the team but is currently unable to practice alongside his future team due to eligibility reasons.
Iamaleava is expected to be eligible to join the team soon and is their projected starting quarterback once fall camp starts in Aug.
While he did not take any snaps under center, Iamaleava was present at the Rose Bowl for the spring game and watched alongside his brother, Madden Iamaleava, who recently recommitted to UCLA after flipping to Arkansas on National Signing day during the winter. Iamaleava is also a quarterback and will increase the depth at quarterback to six, as the Bruins currently have four quarterbacks listed on the roster.
When asked about Nico, Foster, and offensive lineman Julian Armella had nothing but positive things to to say about the recent transfer from Tennessee.
"I'm just excited to get him up here. To work with him. See how he fits into the offense," Armella said. "But at the end of the day, we're excited. It was good being able to see him out there today."
"It just feels good because you're around somebody and you can tell he has presence. He kind of commands attention being 6'6"," Foster said. "He's a huge guy and he's not somebody that's just seeking that attention. He has a poise to him."