Deshaun Foster appointed to UCLA football coaching staff – Daily News

UCLA football helmet. (file photo)

Deshaun Foster's first coaching staff at UCLA is officially finalized for the 2024 season with the announcement of four additional hires on Wednesday.

Foster previously hired former Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy as associate head coach and offensive coordinator in late February.

Since then, the two have worked together to add new members to the offensive staff and restructure some of the roles of some of the former staffers who were just promoted.

“We are in the process of increasing our teaching staff,” Foster said in a statement. “These coaches have developed diverse skill sets from working at all levels of soccer and are eager to share that knowledge with the players in our program.

“Their passion for the game and coaching reflects what we actively instill in our players: approaching everything they do with discipline, respect and enthusiasm. I look forward to seeing them work together.”

Juan Castillo signed Tim Drevno to running game coordinator after then-head coach Chip Kelly signed him to a new two-year contract in January before leaving Westwood for Ohio State. He was hired to replace him and lead the Bruins' offensive line. According to the contract obtained by the Bruin Blitz, Drevno was expected to make $1.21 million.

Castillo has spent most of the past 28 years in the NFL, except for one year in 2019 as an offensive analyst with Jim Harbaugh and Michigan. He also worked with Bieniemy as the Commanders' running game coordinator in 2023.

Ted White was hired to lead a quarterback room that included returning players Ethan Garbers and Colin Schley.

White has experience as a player and coach at the professional level. He just served as quarterbacks coach for the Houston Texans in 2022, but has experience at the collegiate level as an offensive coordinator and position coach at Howard University and the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

Garbers and Schley are expected to compete for the starting quarterback position this season as the Bruins prepare for their first season in the Big Ten Conference.

Billy Fessler, who was hired by Kelly in January as QB coach, will remain with the Bruins next season as an offensive analyst.

Jerry Neuheisel was also reappointed as tight ends coach after serving as wide receivers coach for the past three seasons.

Eric Frazier was hired to take over a receiver room that includes the Bruins' top two receivers, Logan Loya and J. Michael Sturdivant. Frazier spent two seasons (2021-22) with the Tennessee Titans, coaching AJ Brown and former UCLA standout Kyle Phillips. Frazier spent six years coaching at the FCS level, including the 2017 season as Northwestern's coach.

Marcus Thomas returns to Westwood and takes over the running back room that Foster led the past six seasons. Thomas previously served as the Bruins' offensive analyst (2020, 2021) and the program's director of strategic intelligence (2019) before becoming Navy's director of player personnel in 2022. In 2023, he coached his alma mater's slotbacks.

TJ Harden returns as UCLA's starting running back. Last season, he had 857 yards and eight touchdowns. Harden also contributed as a receiver, with 19 catches for 142 yards and one touchdown.

Foster has not made any changes to his defensive coaching staff since becoming head coach.

Inside linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr. decided to join the Commanders' coaching staff in February after spending the past two seasons at his alma mater. Defensive coordinator Ikaika Marleau is expected to take on the responsibilities of inside linebackers coach.

UCLA has announced hiring for several off-field positions that were vacant this offseason, including positions held by Darren Asher (Director of Recruiting) and Ethan Young (Director of Player Personnel). do not have.

Despite an uptick in college recruiting in recent months, the Bruins have seen significant turnover among their recruiting staff, with several scholarship offers going out and recipients announcing them on social media.

Before arriving at Westwood, Usher served as player personnel and scouting consultant for the Oregon Ducks in 2023. He also spent time at Auburn, Boise State and Georgetown during his career. Asher has since returned to Oregon.