Report: D-II head coach Mike Babcock resigns, to be named 'special assistant' to UCLA's DeShaun Foster

Division II program McKendree saw a head coaching change as Mike Babcock resigned Tuesday, according to a release. Jason Rejfek was named interim head coach.

Babcock is reportedly joining the UCLA football staff under DeShaun Foster as a “special assistant,” according to Football Scoop’s Doug Samuels. It was just days before Fall camp was set to begin for McKendree, but now Babcock is out.

Babcock spent 11 seasons with McKendree (Illinois) and went 58-52 and helped the team get to its first ever Division II postseason bid in 2023.

Babcock led McKendree to its first win over a ranked opponent with a 21-16 victory over the University of Indianapolis.

Rejfek, who replaces Babcock on an interim basis, released a statement.

“I cannot express enough gratitude towards our Athletic Director, Anthony Francis, President Dobbins and the rest of the Mckendree University campus for this opportunity,” said Coach Rejfek. “The lessons that I learned as a player from Coach Poelker helped to drive me into coaching so that I could influence young men’s lives.  Coach Babcock hired me in 2018 and the dream of working here was a reality.

“In being the next head coach here, I am excited to have the ability to bridge the gap of both generations and continue to enhance our student athlete experience.  McKendree University is a special place because of the young men that we have in our program and the dedication that they have not only to the football program but also to the University.”

Mike Babcock added to UCLA staff under Foster

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.