UCLA's new football coach was hired at a deep discount.
Deshaun Foster's five-year contract with a first-year salary of $3 million is about half the annual contract with his predecessor Chip Kelly, according to a memorandum of understanding reviewed by the Times on Thursday.
Mr. Foster will receive a $100,000 raise each year, increasing to $3.1 million in his second year, $3.2 million in his third year, $3.3 million in his fourth year and $3.4 million in his fifth year. He already received a hiring bonus of $250,000, and with the raise he will receive a one-time retention bonus of $500,000. He remains employed by the school as of March 15, 2026, and will receive an additional $500,000 retention bonus if he remains employed as of March 15, 2028.
Foster's buyout comes with a percentage reduction in his remaining salary based on the number of years remaining on his contract. For example, if UCLA were to buy him out after two seasons on December 2, 2025, they would buy him out for 60% of his remaining salary in his third year and 50% of his remaining salary in his fourth and fifth years. You will have to pay. The total cost is approximately $5.27 million. If the Bruins were to acquire Foster on Dec. 2, 2026, after his third season, the purchase price would drop to $3.35 million.
If Foster leaves UCLA by Dec. 31, 2024, he will have to pay the school $10 million. If Foster retires by Dec. 31, 2025, that figure drops to $7 million. $5 million if he retires before December 31, 2026. $2.5 million if you retire before December 31, 2027. $1 million if you retire before December 31, 2028.
Foster's bonus is to earn him $50,000 if the Bruins win six games. If you win seven games, you get another $50,000. If you win 8 games, you get another $100,000. If you win nine games, you get another $100,000. If they win 10 games, they will receive an additional $100,000. Foster will earn $100,000 if UCLA makes the Big Ten championship game and an additional $100,000 if the Bruins win.
Foster will receive a $100,000 bonus for playing in the bowl game, an increase of $50,000 if the Bruins win the game. Foster will receive a $200,000 bonus for appearing in the College Football Playoff, plus an additional $150,000 for each CFP win. If the Bruins were the CFP national champions, Foster would earn an additional $200,000.
Foster will receive a $50,000 bonus if he finishes in the final AP rankings of the top 10, and his coach will earn an additional $100,000 for finishing in the top five. Foster will earn $50,000 for being named Big Ten Coach of the Year by the Associated Press or the American Football Coaches Association and $100,000 for being named National Coach of the Year. become.
New offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy was also a bargain. His two-year contract requires him to earn $550,000 annually. Mr. Bieniemy will receive a $180,000 employment bonus if he remains in office until December 7, 2025. The coach will receive a $275,000 hiring bonus if he remains at UCLA through Jan. 31, 2025, and an additional $275,000 if he remains at UCLA through Jan. 31, 2025. July 31, 2025.
Ikaika Marleau, who was promoted to defensive coordinator after Danton Lin left for the University of Southern California in December, signed a two-year contract that pays him $1 million a year, matching Lin's previous salary.
New defensive line coach Tony Washington Jr.'s two-year contract calls for him to make $320,000 in the first year (including a $20,000 recruiting bonus) and $320,000 in the second year.
New quarterbacks coach Billy Fessler also has a two-year contract worth $320,000 per year. If Foster does not retain Washington or Fessler as part of a staff overhaul, the fired coaches will receive their full remaining salaries under the terms of their contracts.
