It’s been a wild ride for the UCLA Bruins since they fired Deshaun Foster, and now they’re in the midst of hiring a new head coach. While no one has emerged as the top candidate yet, there are some names to watch as potential successors to the program.
PJ Fleck: Minnesota
UCLA and Fleck have a history of connection, and that relationship will likely continue. Fleck’s done a great job with the Golden Gophers, and reports indicate that he’s happy in Minnesota. Still, the rumors continue about him potentially leaving for UCLA.
Fleck’s unique approach to coaching makes him a polarizing candidate. He’s built a distinct culture at Minnesota that differs from most programs, but that’s also what makes him successful. He also wins, something that the Bruins hope to return to under new leadership.
Bob Chesney: James Madison
Chesney’s name only recently became linked to the UCLA job, and for good reason. His James Madison squad remains in contention for the College Football Playoff, a team that’s helped him produce an 18-5 record there. In fact, he’s won at every level, boasting a career 129-51 record as a head coach.
He gives the Bruins a proven winner who’s ready to take the next challenge, and his track record indicates that he’ll find a way to succeed. He’s linked to multiple head coaching openings, but the Bruins could be his most attractive offer.
Sean Lewis: San Diego State
I’ve been saying it for a while: if Sean Lewis can win at Kent State, then imagine what he can do literally anywhere else. Lewis turned around a San Diego State program headed in the wrong direction, doing so while preserving a significant part of its identity.
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Everyone assumed the Aztecs would thrive offensively under Lewis, but he also managed to continue the strong defensive tradition. He is a tremendous offensive mind who knows how to hire the right people, and that’s a formula the Bruins will love to see.
Tony White: Florida State
Tony White’s been linked to this job ever since it became open, and the connection makes it easy to see why. A former Bruin himself, White made a name for himself as a player before entering the coaching world. He’s done the same thing in that realm, and his success lined him up for a promotion.
Florida State’s defense pulled off the stunner of the year when the Seminoles shocked Alabama in the first week, and White conducted a great game plan. He’s done great work as a defensive coordinator at multiple stops, and now he’s an option to leap to the next level.
Tim Skipper: UCLA
Someone’s going to give Tim Skipper a shot; the question is which team wants to do it. He’s currently serving as interim head coach and has led the Bruins to a 3-4 record since Foster was relieved of duties.
It’s not a new experience for Skipper to take over a challenging situation. He led Fresno State in the bowl game in 2023, and did the same for the Bulldogs when Jeff Tedford’s health forced him to leave the team. Not only did he win the bowl game in his first season, but he led the Bulldogs to a 6-7 season and another bowl game the following year.
