Following a 13-38 victory over Michigan State, the UCLA Bruins and Nico Iamaleava continued their successful start to life under interim head coach Tim Skipper, who took over for former head coach DeShaun Foster following his 0-3 start to the season.
30 days on from the decision to fire Foster, the window for players to depart the program closed. With the number of departing players being revealed. The Bruins’ search for a head coach continues, with Skipper still in the running at this point.
Nico Iamaleava’s UCLA Future Confirmed Following Bright Start To Life Under Tim Skipper.
After the timing of the early-season firing of Foster, UCLA players were eligible to enter the transfer portal within a 30-day window that ended today. One player who could potentially have departed the Bruins was their quarterback. However, Iamaleava decided to stay.
Zero UCLA transfers as the 30-day portal window closed following DeShaun Foster’s firing. This comes with three fill-in coaches at the helm: Tim Skipper, Jerry Neuheisel and Kevin Coyle.
— Ira Gorawara (@IraGorawara) October 15, 2025
“Zero UCLA transfers as the 30-day portal window closed following DeShaun Foster’s firing. This comes with three fill-in coaches at the helm: Tim Skipper, Jerry Neuheisel, and Kevin Coyle.” UCLA reporter Ira Goraware revealed.
Iamaleava had a rough start to the season under Foster. The Tennessee transfer was initially ranked as the 78th-best Quarterback by ESPN QBR going into the game against Penn State
However, the quarterback had the best game of his career against the Nitanny Lions, rushing for 128 yards and three touchdowns and throwing for 166 yards.
According to PFN’s QB impact rating, the UCLA quarterback is listed as the 42nd overall nationally and is improving every week. Iamaleava threw for 180 yards and 3 in his most recent game against the Michigan Spartans.
While the credit could go to Skipper, one factor that many have considered is the change in coordinator for the Bruins. Jerry Neuheisel was promoted to UCLA’s active offensive coordinator following Sunseri’s departure just days before the game against Penn.
“I knew Coach Jerry going back to my senior year when UCLA was recruiting me. He puts that belief in us that we can go out and execute. He put a great game plan together for us to go out and execute.” Iamaleava explained following the game against Penn.
There have been no solid reports linking Skipper with the head coach job permanently. However, if he does keep his job at UCLA, the most likely outcome will be that Neuheisel also stays on as offensive coordinator under the current interim head coach.
UCLA Face Dilemma With Offensive Coordinator Jerry Neuheisel.
However, should UCLA choose to move in a different direction, with names like Jedd Fisch and Dan Mullin floating around, they will have a dilemma on their hands. On the most recent episode of ‘Locked On UCLA.‘Zach Anderson-Yoxsimer discussed this.
“Now, if you’re gonna go after an offensive-minded head coach, he’s gonna want his own guy. Like Jedd Fisch, he’s gonna want to be the guy in charge of the offense.” The UCLA podcaster explained, questioning where Neuheisel fits into the equation.
“Are you gonna want a guy who’s been with the last few coaching regimes, and then elevated when the coach is gone, or has been fired? Like when Tino was mutually parting ways with UCLA, and then Neuheisel just burst onto the scene with UCLA, with a great resume building for what he can do.” Yoxsimer questioned.
At just 33 years old, Neuheisel is one of the highest-potential offense coaches in College Football. The UCLA offensive coordinator went from Tight Ends coach to Assistant Head Coach to offensive coordinator in just one season.
“So Jerry can do one of two things. He’s either going to be the hot option and stay at UCLA, no matter the coach. Or what could happen is he goes and gets clear coordinating experience elsewhere, we have to bid adieu to Jerry, for a few years, and then he comes back,” The podcaster explained.
Neuheisel appears to be one of the best up-and-coming coordinators in College Football; meanwhile, he will most likely have no shortage of job offers. However, for the time being, both he and Coach Skipper will see out the rest of the season at UCLA.
UCLA was projected to have 2 wins for the season according to Pro Football Network’s Playoff Meter, with games against Maryland and Washington coming up for the chance for both the head coach and offensive coordinator to exceed expectations.