DeShaun Foster’s firing from UCLA after just 15 games wasn’t a total surprise; the Bruins had been on the ropes all season, but the speed of the call still caught people off guard. A 0-3 start, capped by a blowout loss to New Mexico (35-10), forced UCLA to make an early substitution. The urgency of the decision shows just how badly UCLA felt they needed to hit reset with conference play coming up. Away from the headlines, the timing hit even harder.

Just as the ink dried on his severance, Foster prepared to celebrate his daughter Destiny’s second birthday. That personal milestone only came to light through an Instagram story from his wife, Charity Foster, who shared a photo of the family surrounded by loved ones, smiling as they celebrated Destiny’s big day. Charity shared a post of Shanda Shepherd wishing Destiny a “Happy Birthday,” with the couple holding their baby girl while cutting the cake.

The next story shows the little one enjoying her birthday gift with her dad, by riding over her little pink toy car, assisted by Daddy. “@ilovezizii girl, this her favourite gift,” Charity writes. For little Destiny, dad being home is the biggest win of all. The Fosters are a crew of seven: Charity and DeShaun, her two boys from a previous marriage, Noel and Nolen, plus the three girls they’ve had together: Viviana, Destiny, and the newest little one, baby Dream.

Charity Foster has also played a central role in UCLA’s recruiting efforts, known for organizing family-focused events, dinners, and personalized experiences that left a strong impression on visiting prospects. With DeShaun Foster’s dismissal, that presence and the influence she brought to the program’s recruiting dynamic come to an abrupt end.

In the wake of Foster’s firing, UCLA’s athletic director, Martin Jarmond, stepped up with a heartfelt message. It reminded everyone just how much Foster means to the Bruins family. “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,” Jarmond said. “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.”

Still, Destiny’s birthday couldn’t have come at a better time. In the midst of coaching turmoil and an abrupt career change, her pink toy car and bright smile became a buffer against all the outside noise.

The Hall of Famer who couldn’t deliver

The team started 0-3, getting outscored 108-43, including the brutal 35-10 loss to New Mexico. UCLA brought in 30 new transfers last offseason, but the results never showed up on the field. Key additions like quarterback Nico Iamaleava didn’t provide the expected spark. The offense struggled to find its identity. And a revolving door of transfers lost to other Power Five schools didn’t help matters. At 5-10 overall during his tenure, Foster’s record just didn’t inspire confidence in the long-term vision.

UCLA had hoped his homegrown status as a Hall of Fame Bruin and former NFL bruiser would restore pride and competitiveness. Instead, the team’s decline during a critical transition to the Big Ten left little choice for an athletic department under pressure.

So what’s next? Stepping in as interim head coach is Tim Skipper, previously serving as a special assistant on UCLA’s staff. Though relatively new to the Bruins, with just a year in the program, Skipper brings a lengthy résumé on the defensive side of the ball. His coaching track record includes a successful run at Fresno State, where he also spent a season leading the team as head coach.