LOS ANGELES — The search for UCLA’s next football coach is already generating speculation, with oddsmakers listing former NFL coach Jon Gruden and Colorado’s Deion Sanders among the early favorites to take over the Bruins.
UCLA fired DeShaun Foster over the weekend after a 35-10 home loss to New Mexico dropped the Bruins to 0-3. The team has been outscored 108-43 in those three games, prompting athletic director Martin Jarmond to make a change just seven months after Foster was promoted from running backs coach to head coach.
BetOnline.ag released odds for the Bruins’ next full-time coach, and Gruden tops the board at 4-1. Sanders, who is in his second season at Colorado, follows closely at 5-1. Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham (6-1) and California coach Justin Wilcox (8-1) are also among the leading candidates according to the sportsbook.
Other notable names include former Notre Dame offensive coordinator Tommy Rees (10-1), Baylor coach Dave Aranda (12-1), and former Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher (12-1). Long shots on the board include former USC coach Lane Kiffin (25-1), Utah’s Kyle Whittingham (40-1), Clemson’s Dabo Swinney (45-1), Ohio State’s Ryan Day (50-1), and even retired icons like Pete Carroll (75-1), Troy Aikman (80-1) and Rick Neuheisel (100-1).
It is unclear if UCLA will appoint a permanent replacement during the season or wait until the offseason. Interim coach Tim Skipper is expected to lead the team for now.