Deshaun Foster on reaction to opening statement at Big Ten Media Days: 'I'm not a big talker'

Deshaun Foster did not get off to a hot start at Big Ten Media Days when he gave his opening statement. 

The new UCLA head coach appeared to freeze on the podium, cut his monologue short and just answered questions from the media in attendance. Twitter and social media immediately critiqued him coming on stage.

But Foster wasn’t fazed and he even said he did not want to be something he’s not.

“It was cool, you know I’ll probably get on Twitter and see some jokes later but i haven’t seen any yet,” Foster said afterwards. “It’s me, I can’t be something that I’m not. It’s just tough for me. I’m not a big talker and then you put me up there and you guys ask me what you want to know.”

Foster’s opening statement can be seen below for context.

DeShaun Foster introducing UCLA to the Big Ten was EXTREMELY awkward. pic.twitter.com/N2A1xEjIpg

— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) July 24, 2024

Foster wants to be authentically himself. A former star running back at UCLA and NFL veteran, he’s just about coaching and molding his team.

The spotlight and the other flair that comes with being a head coach isn’t something he’s used to, or it at least appeared so.

“I’ve really just opened it up. I wanted people just to see what UCLA has to offer,” Foster said. “I’m not really a car salesman, so it was more just come out here and see what we’re about, see if you can feel the energy, and see if you want to be a part of that. It’s been going well so far.”

There’s no doubt Foster has the standard coaching tools and simply wants to improve his alma mater.

“Three things you will see with my football team is discipline, respect, and enthusiasm,” Foster said. “Those are my pillars. No matter what, you should be able to see that, win, lose, or draw.

“You see my guys in the classroom, you should see that. You see them in the dorms, you should see that. Anywhere, you should see discipline, respect, and enthusiasm out of my football players. I think, if we do that and we’re able to present that every game, the outcome will come out in our favor.”

Foster’s been coaching since 2013 where he was an assistant for three years at UCLA before becoming the running backs coach at Texas Tech. After one year, Foster returned to UCLA in 2017 and coached for another seven seasons before being named head coach .

Foster was a Second-Team All-American in 2001 for UCLA as a running back and was a second round pick by the Carolina Panthers in 2002. He played for seven seasons, his last being in San Francisco.