Former Carolina Panthers RB DeShaun Watson is making headlines once again, this time as he leaves his position as running backs coach for the Las Vegas Raiders. This marks the second time this offseason that the Raiders have lost a committed assistant coach, with Kliff Kingsbury already departing as offensive coordinator. However, Foster’s departure is not a complete loss for the Raiders, as he has been offered the head coach job at UCLA.
According to sources, it has been confirmed that DeShaun Foster will be the next head coach for UCLA. This is a significant move for Foster, who is already recognized in the UCLA Hall of Fame as a player. He has been working as an assistant coach at the university since 2017, and his experience as an NFL player for seven seasons adds to his qualifications for the role.
The news of Foster’s departure from the Raiders comes as a surprise to many, but it is clear that he has found an exciting opportunity to take on a leadership position at UCLA. It remains to be seen how the Raiders will fill the void left by Foster’s departure, but they will undoubtedly be searching for a new running backs coach to join their coaching staff.
Overall, this is a significant career move for DeShaun Foster, as he transitions from being an assistant coach in the NFL to becoming the head coach of a prestigious college football program. It will be interesting to see how Foster’s coaching career evolves at UCLA and the impact he will have on the team.
Former UCLA Running Back DeShaun Foster Named New Head Coach
In a surprising turn of events, former UCLA running back DeShaun Foster has been named the new head coach of the Bruins. This comes after former head coach Chip Kelly decided to become the offensive coordinator for Ohio State. Foster, who was expected to be the running backs coach for the Las Vegas Raiders, has now been given a significant promotion to lead his alma mater.
Foster, who ranks fifth in rushing yards in UCLA history with 3,194, served as the running backs coach for the Bruins from 2017 to 2023. While he has never been a head coach or coordinator at any level, his familiarity with the program should make for an easier transition than hiring someone new this late in the college football offseason.
New head coach Antonio Pierce has made it clear that he wants to have a strong running game. Losing Foster as the running backs coach early on is definitely a setback for the team. The Bruins had already decided not to retain last year’s running backs coach Kennedy Polamalu, so it’s unlikely that he will be brought back.
It’s possible that Foster may bring in someone he worked with before as his offensive coordinator. David Walker, who was the running backs coach for the Chicago Bears under Luke Getsy, could be a potential candidate. However, Walker was fired during the 2023 season, so it’s uncertain if he will be hired in Las Vegas.
The Raiders will need to find a replacement for Foster, but it remains to be seen who they will target. They have several options available, but it’s unclear who they will ultimately choose.
Looking ahead to next season, the Raiders could have a strong running back room. Despite a down year in 2023 due to injury, Josh Jacobs is expected to return and be a key contributor. However, if the team decides not to bring him back, Zamir White showed promise in his absence, rushing for 397 yards in the final four games.
Jacobs, who led the NFL in rushing in 2022, played on the franchise tag last season and will likely test free agency. While head coach Antonio Pierce is a fan of Jacobs and would like to see him back with the team in 2024, new general manager Tom Telesco may not be willing to pay big money for running backs. This situation will be one to watch in the offseason, as the Raiders have other needs on defense and the offensive line that they may prioritize over re-signing Jacobs.
Replacing Jacobs would be a challenge, as he is a team leader. However, if he is seeking a large contract, he may need to look elsewhere to find it.
Austin Boyd has covered the Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Lakers.
According to the Source heavy.com