UCLA athletic director Martin Jarmond made it clear Friday what the university will be looking for over the next couple of days while searching for Chip Kelly’s replacement.
While frustrated UCLA fans might be reveling in the news, significant challenges lie ahead. Jarmond asked the players for a 96-hour window before making any decisions to transfer from the university following Kelly’s departure. That window would end Tuesday.
The university is looking for a person, Jarmond said, who has the qualities of a CEO and will “embrace all aspects of a successful program” under today’s college football landscape, which is spearheaded by roster management, success on the field, recruiting, NIL and maintaining relationships with donors off the field.
Jarmond also mentioned the players’ desire, after meeting with them Friday, to have a coach to replace the 60-year-old Kelly – who was named offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Ohio State – who can relate to them not only as a football player but as young men off the field.
Here’s a list of potential candidates for the UCLA football program:
D’Anton Lynn
Lynn, 34, helped turn the Bruins’ defense around in 2023 before leaving to become the defensive coordinator at crosstown rival USC. The Bruins finished as a top-10 defense this past season, allowing 301.5 yards per game. Standout Laiatu Latu and the defensive line also helped produce a rush defense that ranked second in the country after allowing just 80.5 yards per game. UCLA lost two of its top two secondary players, who followed Lynn to USC, but a quick return to Westwood could help keep most of the current roster intact.
Tony White
The UCLA alumnus’ name could be one to keep an eye on. White, 44, spent the past year as Nebraska’s associate head coach and defensive coordinator. He started his college coaching career as a graduate assistant for football operations at UCLA in 2007. Part of his duties included recruiting administration. White’s latest recruit was edge rusher Keona Wilhite, who chose Nebraska over UCLA this week.
DeShaun Foster
The former All-American running back returned to his alma mater to join the coaching staff in 2017. Foster, 44, helped develop several players, having a running back drafted in each of the past four years. The Tustin High alum left UCLA this month to take a job with the Las Vegas Raiders, but players have been outspoken on social media about potentially bringing him back as their next head coach.
David Shaw
The former Stanford head coach might be a long shot but he’s become familiar with the Bruins after his son, Carter Shaw, walked on as a receiver for the 2023 season. David Shaw, 51, has been spotted at the Bruins’ games and practices. While he took the past year off from coaching, he might look to get back on the sidelines after recently interviewing for the Chargers and Tennessee Titans’ head coaching jobs.
Ikaika Malloe
Malloe was elevated to defensive coordinator in early January after spending the past two seasons working with the defensive line. He helped rally the Bruins in the second half in his first glimpse as the interim defensive coordinator for the LA Bowl. Malloe, 49, could be considered if the Bruins want to help keep members of the current roster intact. Former UCLA edge rusher Carl Jones Jr. spoke highly of Malloe’s energy and passion since his arrival in Westwood.
Eric Bieniemy
The former Bishop Amat star running back was relieved of his duties as the Washington Commanders’ offensive coordinator after the team fired head coach Ron Rivera. Bieniemy, 54, is no stranger to Westwood, having served as a running backs coach and recruiting coordinator from 2003-2005. Bieniemy made a name for himself in recent years as the offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs.
P.J. Fleck
The Minnesota coach, 43, is considered a high-energy program builder who would certainly seem like a dramatic personality shift. A former NFL assistant, he led Western Michigan to the Cotton Bowl to cap a 13-0 season in 2016 and parlayed that into his current job, where he has led the Golden Gophers to at least nine wins three times with bowl appearances in five out of seven seasons. He guided Minnesota to the Big Ten title game in 2019 and certainly knows the Big Ten landscape.
Brennan Marion
Marion spent the past season as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at UNLV under coach Barry Odom. Marion, 36, falls in line with the players’ request for a younger and more relatable coach. Marion has been held in high regard as an assistant and for his innovative ideas on offense. He was previously the passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach at Texas in 2022.
Chris Petersen
Petersen, 59, stepped down as Washington’s head coach in 2019 and has since served as a studio analyst for Fox Sports. After going 92-12 in eight seasons at Boise State and 55-26 in six seasons coaching the Huskies, Petersen is familiar with California’s college football scene, having recruited the area throughout his coaching career.
