DeShaun Foster shares pillars which will guide UCLA football program

The UCLA football program has entered a new era, with DeShaun Foster taking over as the team’s next head coach. Now, even while getting a later start in the calendar, he will look to begin implementing his vision for the program.

While meeting with the media at his introductory press conference, Foster was asked how he’s going to implement changes and bring about the success that he wants for the program.

“Basically, it’s my pillars,” DeShaun Foster said. “So, it’s discipline, respect, and enthusiasm. That’s the three things. We have to hit on that. You have to be disciplined to play football. Both sides of the ball. Gotta be disciplined. You gotta respect your game, gotta respect your teammates, gotta respect your opponent. And then you gotta get out there and have fun. This is a different era of football. People like to have fun out there. So we’re going to have some fun.”

Notably, Foster also emphasized that those pillars are going to be implemented by getting the team united moving forward.

“But we’re going to do it in not a childish manner. In a team environment, a team aspect, everybody is just on the same page and excited. Both sides of the ball. It’s no division, just playing. One team, one heartbeat. This is us. It’s UCLA. It’s what we’re going to be.”

Very few people can claim to know UCLA football as well as DeShaun Foster. A star for the Bruins during his playing years, he began coaching there as an assistant in 2013 and spent every year of his coaching career, except for one, with the program and through multiple head coaching changes to get to this point.

DeShaun Foster defines success ahead of first season as head coach

At his introductory press conference, DeShaun Foster explained that he is going to define his success at UCLA in terms of wins and losses.

“Winning games. I’m not here for a hidden agenda. ‘Oh, we played well.’ None of that. We’ve got to win games,” Foster said.

“You know, I’m a Bruin too. So, this isn’t just I’m happy to be in this seat. I’m trying to produce. I want to get guys. We’ve got to win games to get players. So, that’s what we’re gonna do.”