UCLA HC DeShaun Foster Explains Restricting Media Access, Player Interviews

UCLA head football coach DeShaun Foster had quite the back-and-forth with the media Wednesday when explaining why he is restricting access and limiting player interviews this season.

Foster suggested the media reports will give opponents an opportunity to see what the Bruins are doing and explained the program's "marketing" will happen with wins and not player interviews (5:30 mark).

"Yeah, you guys film our practice and put it online," he said. "If I was an opponent for another team, I'd look right at your guys' stuff and see what's going on."

He also said, "I'm not worried about the marketing. Because what marketing does, if you win games, you're marketed. So we're going to go out there and focus on winning games."

While it is certainly up for debate how much opponents could gather from typical practice reports from the media, Foster made his position clear. He is looking to minimize distractions as he attempts to turn the program around in his second season.

Foster's Bruins went 5-7 in 2024, which was his first year at the helm. It was also the team's first time in the Big Ten, and it went 3-6 in league play. The record wasn't impressive, but UCLA showed signs of improvement by going 4-2 in the final six games following a 1-5 start.

Expectations are higher in 2025 after quarterback Nico Iamaleava transferred from Tennessee after leading the Volunteers to the College Football Playoff. A better record won't be easy, though, as the Bruins face challenging games against Utah, Penn State, Indiana, Ohio State and USC throughout the season.

Whether Iamaleava lives up to his potential will go a long way toward determining the team's final record, but fans hoping to hear from the quarterback himself might be left disappointed this season.