Though the DeShaun Foster era at UCLA looks bright, the Bruins still have carry-over from their past regime.
In a graphic posted on X by sports analytics guru Tony Altimore, the UCLA Bruins have the sharpest decline in attendance at football games from any Power-5 school. Since 2016, the Bruins have seen a decrease of an average of 13,000 fans going into 2023.
In that span, the Bruins have gone 45-49 overall and 1-2 in bowl games. This occurred during the Jim Mora and Chip Kelly seasons. Though the Bruins have improved since the firing of Mora, they still fail to see notable improvements on the field and, in turn, in attendance.
BIGGEST CHANGE IN FOOTBALL FANS
A-5 Confs 🏟️📣
2016-18 Avg. vs. 2022-23 Avg.Where are football crowds growing the most in recent years? #Kansas, #Purdue, #Pitt, + #Rutgers
Where are they shrinking the most? #UCLA, #Northwestern, #Miami, + #Stanford
Check out the Top 15s: pic.twitter.com/i1Eqrs0KFc
— Tony Altimore (@TJAltimore) March 28, 2024
But the Foster era feels different than Mora or Kelly’s. There is a new excitement and buzz surrounding the team. Players, coaches, and fans alike all appear to be hopeful and energized by the regime change.
With the Bruins now in the BIG 10, there is even more to look forward to as UCLA begins its tenure against some of college football’s finest programs.
Time will tell if it is reflected in attendance.