DeShaun Foster replacements: Ranking UCLA's best candidates from D'Anton Lynn to Tosh Lupoi

The DeShaun Foster era at UCLA lasted 15 games. 

The UCLA Bruins parted ways with Foster after an 0-3 start to the 2025 season. UCLA finished 5-7 last season under Foster after he replaced Chip Kelly. UCLA, however, had a dreadful start to this season. 

Utah beat the Bruins 43-10 in the opener, and UCLA suffered back-to-back losses to UNLV and New Mexico the last two weeks. All of this came after Nico Iamaleava transferred from Tennessee, and Joey Aguilar left for Tennessee in the spring. That was enough for the Bruins to make a move.

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UCLA is still finding its footing in the Big Ten, and the job opening creates some interesting possibilities, including a pair of Big Ten defensive coordinators. Here are six possible candidates for the position. 

UCLA coaching candidates to replace DeShaun Foster

D'Anton Lynn, USC defensive coordinator 

The Athletic's Bruce Feldman mentions Lynn, 35, as one of the front-runners for the job, and with good reason. Lynn was the defensive coordinator for the Bruins in 2023, when they jumped from 92nd to 14th in scoring defense in one year. He is the current defensive coordinator for rival USC, and the Trojans are back in the AP Top 25. Lynn has a strong NFL background, too, and that approach could benefit the Bruins in Big Ten play. 

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Tosh Lupoi, Oregon defensive coordinator 

Lupoi, 44, is a California native who has built a reputation as a top recruiter with Oregon. The Ducks ranked 9th in scoring defense in 2023 and 19th in scoring defense in 2024. Lupoi played at Cal and was an assistant coach at Washington and Cal before spending five seasons as an assistant under Nick Saban at Alabama. He also spent three years in the NFL. It's a professional background that could benefit UCLA well. 

Spencer Danielson, Boise State coach 

Danielson, 36, would be the best option after Lynn. He's a California native who played linebacker at San Diego, and he pushed the Broncos to the College Football Playoff in just his second season as a head coach. He's 16-4, and the up-and-coming coach is going to be hired by a Power 4 coach within the next two cycles. Why not jump on this opportunity now? 

Alex Golesh, South Florida coach 

Golesh, 41, is on everyone's hot list. He had a four-year stint at Iowa State as an assistant coach before serving as an offensive coordinator at UCF and Tennessee. He was among the top recruiters for Iamaleava with the Volunteers, too. Golesh has an up-tempo offense that is quarterback-friendly. He could be in play because of that relationship with Iamaleava. 

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PJ Fleck, Minnesota coach 

We have tried to make this match a few times. Fleck, 44, has a 60-40 record in nine seasons at Minnesota, and the Gohpers are 6-0 in bowl games under the long-time coach. Fleck is a culture builder, and the Bruins are in need of a change in that regard. This is not the off-the-wall hire it appears to be, but it might be tough to pry Fleck away from Minnesota. 

Shannon Dawson, Miami offensive coordinator 

Dawson, 48, is a lifetime assistant who has worked his way through the coaching ranks. He has been an offensive coordinator at Kentucky, Southern Miss, Houston and now Miami, where he is off to a great start with the Hurricanes this season. Dawson has no West Coast ties, but UCLA can afford to take a chance on a first-time head coach. This might be a long-shot, but it's worth filing away.