(BCSNN) — UCLA fired head football coach DeShaun Foster on Sunday following the Bruins’ 0-3 start to the 2025 season, marking the program’s worst opening since 2019. Athletic director Martin Jarmond announced the decision two days after a 35-10 home loss to New Mexico, the second consecutive defeat to a Mountain West opponent.

“It’s not a decision I made lightly, but it was important to take decisive action,” Jarmond said on a Zoom call. “This serves as a message to our fans that the results we’ve seen so far are simply not acceptable”.

Foster, a former All-American running back at UCLA, compiled a 5-10 record over two seasons after being promoted in February 2024 to replace Chip Kelly.

"I want to extend my sincere appreciation to DeShaun for his contributions to UCLA Football over the course of many years, first as a Hall of Fame student-athlete, then as an assistant coach and finally as head coach," said Jarmond. "He was named to this role at a challenging time of year, on the cusp of a move to a new conference, and he embraced it, putting his heart into moving the program forward. His legacy and love for this university are firmly established. He is a Bruin for life, and we wish him, his wife, Charity, and their family the best."

Tim Skipper, who joined the Bruins in July as a special assistant, will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Skipper previously led Fresno State to a bowl appearance as interim coach in 2024 and brings over two decades of experience across multiple FBS programs. UCLA enters a bye week before traveling to Northwestern on Sept. 27, followed by matchups against No. 2 Penn State, and a trip to Michigan State.

Foster signed a five-year, $15 million contract in 2024, and UCLA will owe him approximately $6.24 million in buyout payments, funded exclusively through athletic department revenues. The contract stipulates a 70% payout of remaining salary if terminated before Dec. 1, dropping to 60% thereafter. Foster earned $3.1 million this season, and the university is expected to honor the full terms of the agreement.

UCLA’s coaching search begins immediately, with Jarmond and executive senior associate AD Erin Adkins leading a committee of alumni and industry leaders. “We’re going to take our time with the search,” Jarmond said. “This is a clean slate. We’re 0-0 in the Big Ten and this is about getting better. They're ultimately going to write this season”.