A 0-3 record, and the UCLA Bruins saw two major turnarounds within days. Head coach DeShaun Foster was let go, and three days later, defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe‘s mutual contract termination news hit Los Angeles. Naturally, both the roster and the commits faced the unexpected. Presently, while Tim Skipper fills the shoes of assistant head coach for the rest of the season, he makes his stance pretty clear about coach Malloe.

After making a brief introduction about himself on a September 17 presser, Skipper, who had been a former interim head coach at Fresno State, dived straight into the updates regarding the defensive machinery. “Next thing I like to move into is defensively, collaboratively, as a ‘staff’ on defense, we are going to get these kids in the right positions to where they could be successful. Meaning, we’re going to do things that they can do well.”

Moving on, Tim Skipper started on the former defensive coordinator Malloe’s termination, before the roster headed towards the Drake Stadium for practice. “As far as defensive staff-wise goes, leads me into coach Malloy. And the university has agreed to mutually part ways.” Coach Malloe had been the defensive coordinator since the end of 2023, when the program won the LA Bowl against Boise State. Earlier, he was the interim defensive coordinator after the then-defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn left for the USC Trojans, and Malloe got the gig.

But a 0-3 start sealed the fate for both Foster and Malloe at the Bruins. The defense gave up an average of 244 yards per game on the ground. Skipper continued. “I want to personally thank him for all he’s done, especially with me having conversations and things like that, and everything he’s done for this university. Just want to personally make sure I do that and get that handled. Great man right there.” In Malloe’s first year as the defensive coordinator, the program ranked No. 6 in rushing defense and No. 40 in total defense. He had made his impact. Remember Laiatu Latu, the first UCLA player to win the Lombardi Award in 2023; Malloe was his position coach.

The players? They were emotional. “He’s a great person, great family person, and he brought so much value to this team,” offensive lineman Garrett DiGiorgio said per the Los Angeles Daily News. He continued. “It’s just unfortunate that I feel like he felt somewhat responsible, along with Foster as well.” UCLA’s defense ranks No. 126th in efficiency among 136 FBS teams, a rate of 21.0 out of 100. However, the Bruins lost much more than two coaching staff members. The incoming recruiting class took a massive hit as well.

The UCLA Bruins are facing the brunt

DeShaun Foster parted ways with the UCLA Bruins. Next? The present roster has the option to either enter the transfer portal or redshirt their year. The incoming batches, as it seems, have also weighed in on their options. The result? Out of the 22 commits in the Class of 2026, only Micah “Champions” Smith is still tied to the program. Rest? Decommitted. 21 players took back their pledge in the wake of Foster’s departure. Let that sink in.

The reason? Uncertainty around the Bruins’ coaching roster. And the dots do connect. After Foster left, defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe was let go by the Athletic Director, Martin Jarmond. Foster had been a favorite in the locker room. He was the player’s coach. One of the former recruits, Yahya Gaad, a three-star safety, who had flipped from SMU to be part of the Bruins’ identity, was disheartened after receiving the shocking news. “It’s very heartbreaking. I loved that man,” he said.

Some of the recruits, who let go of the Bruins, include defensive lineman David Schwerzel, offensive tackle Johnnie Jones, interior lineman Cooper Javorsky, linebacker Ramzak Fruean, defensive end Anthony Jones, and receiver Demaje Riley, among others. The Bruins are churning out new storylines, but for the unexpected.