The fallout of early-season losses is spreading quickly across college football. UCLA and Virginia Tech fired their head coaches Sunday after 0–3 starts, sending two seasons into turmoil just weeks into 2025.
The Bruins dismissed DeShaun Foster after just 15 games, ending a short tenure marked by only five wins and a minus-65 point differential this season. The former NFL star inherited the program amid its Big Ten transition but failed to generate momentum, even after landing former Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava through the transfer portal. Low attendance at the Rose Bowl amplified the frustration, while getting mocked by the Pac-12 and Big Sky on social media shows how far the Bruins have slipped.
UCLA athletic director Martin Jarmond called Foster’s tenure “a challenging assignment,” but the buyout will be costly. UCLA still owes him more than $7 million on a five-year deal signed last year. Assistant Tim Skipper will serve as interim head coach.
In Blacksburg, Brent Pry’s run with Virginia Tech also ended after a 0–3 start, the program’s first since 1987. Saturday’s home loss to Old Dominion was the breaking point. Pry leaves with a 16–24 record across four seasons and never finished higher than fourth in the ACC. Philip Montgomery, the offensive coordinator, takes over on an interim basis.
School officials labeled the results “not acceptable,” though Pry will collect more than $6 million in buyout money.
Both dismissals raise questions about roster stability. Because the moves come before the redshirt cutoff, players could choose to sit out the rest of the season and preserve eligibility. The transfer portal opens for 30 days for both UCLA and Virginia Tech players. We'll see what happens going forward.
Elsewhere, Notre Dame is facing its own crisis. Last year’s College Football Playoff finalist dropped to 0–2 after a loss to Texas A&M, a start that leaves the Irish with one ranked opponent left on the schedule. That lack of marquee wins could sink their playoff hopes even if they run the table.
Coach Marcus Freeman is not believed to be on the hot seat, but the Irish slid from No. 8 to No. 24 in the AP poll — the first 0–2 team ranked since 1988. “I can’t dwell on 0–2,” Freeman said. “We have to find ways to improve.”
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