New UCLA football coach DeShawn Foster couldn’t contain the nerves he felt when he took the stage at Big Ten Media Days on Wednesday, and now the subject is a hot topic.
Foster’s hiring marks a new era for UCLA, as the school moves into the Big Ten after the Pac-12 folded, but this opening moment is one Foster and Bruins fans will want to forget, as the former NFL running back stumbled and made his opening remarks a little awkward.
Foster began his statement by noting UCLA’s participation in the conference and the many accomplishments the university has made. Then, he seemed unsure what to do.
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UCLA Bruins head coach DeShawn Foster speaks to the media during Big Ten Football Media Day at Lucas Oil Stadium on July 24, 2024 in Indianapolis. (Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
“You guys don’t know much about UCLA or our football program, but we’re in L.A.,” Foster said, followed by a long pause. “It’s us and USC. We, um…”
Again, Foster paused and let out a nervous laugh to fill the silence, making the situation even more awkward.
“I’m just excited, really,” Foster managed to say. “That’s all.”
As these moments often do, they sparked conversation on social media on Wednesday, with college football fans criticizing Foster.
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“Wow, 2-10,” one X user said.
Another added: “It was like I saw a ghost in the audience.”
Foster may not have said the right thing at the big moment, but CBS Sports reports that he joked about what he found out on social media just hours after the speech.
UCLA Bruins head coach DeShawn Foster had an awkward moment during his Big Ten Media Days press conference. (Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
“You’ll see the joke on Twitter later,” he said, adding that he would rather answer reporters’ questions at that point than give each coach his allotted 15 minutes.
“I’m just not a hotshot guy,” Foster added. “I don’t get points for being a hotshot, but I played football. I didn’t start coaching at 20. I played high-level football in college. I got drafted in the NFL, played high-level football for a few years and then decided to become a coach. My path is totally different than coaches and a lot of other people who do that job here. Just like when I recruit, I’m not a salesman. You know? I’m not a car salesman.”
One thing Foster knows really well is UCLA, where he set numerous records as a freshman, including rushing yards, and was named an All-American his senior year, rushing for 1,109 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Foster eventually joined the Carolina Panthers in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft.
Now a coach, Foster hopes the Bruins’ performance on the field will help everyone forget about that speech.
DeShawn Foster said he’s not a very “enthusiastic” person. (Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
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The first game of the season will be on August 31st when UCLA travels to Hawaii to face off.
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