Tag: Martin Jarmond

DeShaun Foster, Jay Toia on hand to support Laiatu Latu at NFL Draft

DeShaun Foster and others on hand to see Laiatu Latu get drafted.

The UCLA Bruins football program saw Laiatu Latu hear his name called during the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft on Thursday. He went No. 15 overall to the Indianapolis Colts, ending a string of 14 straight offensive players to be selected.

And, even more impressive, is that a few Bruins coaches and players were there to support him. DeShaun Foster, defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe, teammate Jay Toia, and athletic director Martin Jarmond were all there to support Latu.

DeShaun Foster is wasting no time making strong impressions in his first year as UCLA head coach, and them being there to see Latu get selected is quite something.

Latu then had his introductory press conference on Friday in Indianapolis and had plenty of things to say as his UCLA career comes to an end and he begins his NFL journey.

The Bruins contingent had to go back to LA to prepare for the Spring Game on April 27. 

UCLA AD Martin Jarmond skirts Chip Kelly question at DeShaun Foster presser

Martin Jarmond refused to answer a question about Chip Kelly at DeShaun Foster’s press conference. Well done.

To say Chip Kelly’s tenure ended poorly in Westwood with UCLA would be an understatement.

After six seasons with the Bruins, posting a 35-34 record, Kelly left UCLA for the Ohio State offensive coordinator position. Returning to the college game after a stint in the NFL, many believed Kelly would be able to turn the program around. And while the Bruins did see steady improvement in the wins and losses column as he continued coaching the Bruins, recruiting, and success in the Pac-12 never amounted to that of what Kelly enjoyed at Oregon.

At new head coach DeShaun Forest’s press conference, UCLA athletic director Martin Jarmond skirted questions surrounding Kelly’s exit.

Leaving it simply at, “Today is about DeShaun and moving forward,” Jarmond’s comments revealed that Kelly’s departure was anything but pleasant.

But Jarmond had a point. The future of UCLA football begins by letting go of the past. Playing in the newly loaded BIG 10, it will be an uphill climb for the Bruins to find their foothold in the conference.

And the best way to keep moving forward is often not to look back.

Everything Martin Jarmond said after Chip Kelly left UCLA for Ohio State

Here’s what UCLA AD Martin Jarmond said after Chip Kelly left for Ohio State.

The UCLA Bruins football program saw Chip Kelly leave for the Ohio State OC position.

It puts the Bruins in a difficult spot, and one that AD Martin Jarmond has to figure out how to solve.  The pressure is on, and it began when UCLA lost out on Keona Wilhite due to Kelly’s uncertain future.

The question now remains of which direction Jarmond will go in. Will he hire a young coach? Or will UCLA bring in a veteran coach?

It’s horrible timing with the bigger head coach candidates already finding new homes.

Nonetheless, here is everything Jarmond said in his press conference on Friday after Kelly left for Columbus.