Jim Mora was fired by UCLA due to a steep decline in the program’s performance over his final three seasons. While he began his tenure with significant success, a combination of poor results and internal stagnation led to his dismissal with one game remaining in the 2017 regular season. However, the newly appointed Colorado State head coach has a different take on his firing.
Jim Mora Stands Firm on His UCLA Firing
The Bruins were just 10-16 in Pac-12 play since 2015. In addition, Mora’s firing came exactly one day after a 28-23 loss to rival USC. But when he recently appeared on Brunch Formation, he firmly maintained that his firing, which resulted in UCLA paying his $12.3 million buyout, was not justified.
Mora said, “Well, they made a mistake. It’s been proven by their record since I left as compared to when I was there. And I kind of feel like I should just leave it at that or else once again my mouth will get me in trouble… This is a tough business, you know, and I don’t know a coach that feels like he should have been fired. But yeah, I don’t think I should have been fired.”
The current Rams head coach then highlighted his 27-23 record at UConn, where he also made a bowl game three times in four years. This put him in a position to replace Jay Norvell at Colorado State. But he also admitted that he was distracted at UCLA because of personal reasons.
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“I do believe and I will admit that I took my eye off the ball a little bit. I was going through a tough time in my personal life. The most important thing to me at that point in time was my kids and their mental health and maintaining connection to them. And it got away from me a little bit. So, I don’t blame anyone,” Mora continued.
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What Mora’s Arrival Means for Colorado State
The timing of Mora’s arrival is critical, as Colorado State prepares to transition into the newly reformed Pac-12. He is expected to provide similar stability to a Rams team that has struggled for consistency and currently ranks 128th in PFSN’s CFB Playoff Meter. For the 2026 season, the baseline expectation is a return to bowl eligibility and a competitive showing as the school shifts conferences.
Early spring reports suggest that Mora has already implemented an intense, mentally tough culture, focusing on earning trust through dependability. Mora’s proven ability to recruit and develop NFL-caliber talent makes him the high-profile leader the Rams believe can finally unlock the potential of their $220 million facilities.
