Back when the UCLA Bruins dismissed second year head coach DeShaun Foster after a 0-3 start, it appeared the program might’ve had a shot at landing a true culture changer.
Since then, though, a ton of jobs have opened up, and many of them are juggernauts like LSU, Auburn Penn State and more. Needless to say, it’s looking like this year’s coaching carousel may be slim pickings for the Bruins.
The national media feels the same way. Despite the location and history of the program, UCLA is viewed as one of the least-desirable jobs on the carousel.
CBS Sports released a ranking of each FBS coaching gig and had the Bruins’ job ranked eighth out of the nine Power Four openings. Their full rankings are below:
1. LSU
2. Florida
3. Penn State
4. Auburn
5. Arkansas
6. Oklahoma State
7. Virginia Tech
8. UCLA
9. Stanford
Oct 11, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly looks on against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images / Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Here’s what CBS Sports had to say about UCLA’s spot on the rankings:
Oct 11, 2025; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; UCLA Bruins interim head coach Tim Skipper looks up at the video board in the fourth quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Mullin-Imagn Images / Brendan Mullin-Imagn Images
As it currently stands, UCLA may struggle to contend for a big name acquisition, which means the Bruins’ best course may be to look inward.
UCLA’s brief resurgence reportedly shifted the focus of the UCLA brass and suddenly the Bruins may have had to start looking inward for their next hire. Skipper and Neuheisel generated a ton of national attention for their job righting the ship. Both coaches are well on their way to becoming a head coach — whether it be with the Bruins or elsewhere.
UCLA Bruins on SI spoke to a prominent UCLA alumnus who believes that if Skipper isn’t already the top option, the program should highly consider naming Neuheisel its next head coach.
Nov 8, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins offensive coordinator Jerry Neuheisel celebrates the touchdown scored by running back Anthony Woods (6) against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the second half at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images / Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Neuheisel, a former Bruins signal-caller, made it known that coaching his alma mater is a dream of his, and he certainly made a case to be a candidate for his job, revamping UCLA’s offense midseason.
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