Some coaching candidates lists are easy to compile, like Alabama's. Despite the shock of Nick Saban's retirement, the top names who could replace him were fairly obvious.
Then, there's a situation like UCLA's. The school is replacing Chip Kelly, who is expected to become offensive coordinator at Ohio State. Kelly had been rumored as an NFL coordinator candidate for several weeks, and clearly wanted out. The feeling was mutual for some in UCLA circles. Still, the timing of Kelly's exit is extremely challenging.
UCLA simply doesn't have many obvious options, especially right now, at the tail end of an active coaching cycle. Jedd Fisch, a Bruins assistant in 2017, took the Washington job. Jonathan Smith, a Southern California native, left Oregon State for Michigan State in late November. Brent Brennan, a former UCLA wide receiver who has coached up and down the West Coast, replaced Fisch at Arizona. Although a lot of coaches have ties to Los Angeles, there aren't many currently in the region, either top assistants at other power conference schools or Group of 5 coaches, who would be obvious fits.
Athletic director Martin Jarmond could go with a temporary/interim/tryout situation for the 2024 season, UCLA's first in the Big Ten. There are a few options within the program who might be able to keep the roster as united as possible.
The Bruins also find themselves at an important juncture as they prepare for their conference switch. Kelly went 25-13 in his final three seasons, but recorded only one AP Top 25 finish and never won more than nine games, finishing 35-34 overall. UCLA has had some wins in the transfer portal but lagged in high school recruiting, signing a class ESPN ranked as No. 74 nationally, between Memphis and Charlotte. The school has had a slow start in the NIL game. Kelly's departure for an offensive coordinator job -- in UCLA's new league, no less -- doesn't cast the program in a great light.
The Kelly hire, widely celebrated when he picked UCLA over Florida, didn't hit big, continuing a long-term pattern of underachievement in Westwood. UCLA has not won a league title since 1998 and has just one AP top 10 finish since then.
UCLA still has a lot to offer, namely a beautiful location and access to the Southern California recruiting scene. The Big Ten move will bring initial challenges but also more financial stability -- a significant issue in recent years. Although there are obstacles, including playing home games off campus at the Rose Bowl and a fan base prone to apathy, UCLA remains appealing to many coaches.
Jarmond has challenging work ahead. Here's a look at who UCLA could consider to replace Kelly.
Internal options/recent assistants
USC defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn: The son of former Los Angeles Chargers coach Anthony Lynn has quickly established himself as a rising star in the coaching ranks. D'Anton Lynn dramatically improved UCLA's defense as coordinator in 2023, helping the Bruins rise to No. 14 nationally in points allowed and No. 10 in yards allowed. The recent move to rival USC understandably doesn't sit well with some Bruins fans, but bringing him back as head coach could change the mood quickly. The 34-year-old spent his career in the NFL before joining UCLA and could ultimately have pro aspirations. But Jarmond should gauge his interest.
UCLA assistant head coach/safeties coach Brian Norwood: The 58-year-old is a veteran assistant with coordinator experience who has worked all over the country and likely would resonate well in the Bruins locker room. Norwood has been on staff since 2020 after holding coordinator roles at Navy, Kansas State and Tulsa. He spent seven seasons in the Big Ten as a Penn State assistant. Norwood has the personality to connect with not only the players but also donors and other key external figures as UCLA tries to limit the bumps in its transition.
Las Vegas Raiders running backs coach DeShaun Foster: If UCLA wants a coach with a notable name and recent ties to the school, Foster certainly could make sense. A record-setting running back with the Bruins who spent seven seasons in the NFL, Foster spent the past seven years coaching UCLA's running backs, working under both Kelly and Jim Mora. Until his recent move to the Raiders, Foster had spent all but one season of his coaching career at UCLA, where he served as a graduate assistant in 2014 and 2015.
External options
Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck: He's a Midwest native and a proven Big Ten coach with energy and a clear identity. Fleck guided Minnesota to a No. 10 finish in 2019, and bowl victories in each of the past five full seasons. He's 50-34 at Minnesota, one of the Big Ten's tougher jobs, and 80-56 overall in the FBS. The 43-year-old has been loyal to Minnesota but could see this as a good time to move to a program with a higher long-term ceiling. He spent two seasons on the West Coast as a San Francisco 49ers receiver. Are folks ready to Row the Boat in Westwood?
Ohio State co-offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach Brian Hartline: Jarmond spent nine years at Ohio State and could look to the school for candidates. Hartline, a former Ohio State and NFL wide receiver, has become one of the team's most important assistants, building a wide receiver room that makes pro evaluators swoon. The 37-year-old is charismatic and thrives on the recruiting trail. He has been picky about jobs, though, and it will take a lot for him to leave Columbus. But Hartline is the type of coach who would energize UCLA while also helping the Big Ten transition.
Alabama offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb: Washington bypassed the chance to hire Grubb after Kalen DeBoer left for Alabama, even though some saw him as a natural successor. Grubb, 47, has quickly established himself as a top playcaller, and could upgrade a Bruins offense that finished 68th nationally in scoring last season. He spent 2017 to 2021 in California as a Fresno State assistant, and has recruited the West Coast for a while. The Iowa native also would provide a nice bridge for UCLA's migration to the Big Ten.
Cal coach Justin Wilcox: He's not the flashiest hire and has a 36-43 overall record at Cal, but he would bring legitimate West Coast experience and could continue the defensive foundation Lynn started. Wilcox is already in the University of California system, and has moved beyond distinct challenges at Berkeley to reach bowl games in three of the past five full seasons. The 47-year-old knows the new Big Ten schools from the West Coast, having served as defensive coordinator at both Washington (2012-13) and USC (2014-15). He also logged a season as Wisconsin's defensive coordinator. Wilcox surprisingly turned down Oregon a few years back but could see UCLA as a more sensible landing spot.
UNLV coach Barry Odom: A second power conference opportunity seems inevitable for Odom, who went .500 at Missouri (25-25) and guided UNLV to nine wins and a Mountain West championship game appearance in his first season. Before UNLV, Odom had spent almost his entire career in Missouri or Arkansas, but showed he could have success in a different region. Although the 47-year-old is known for defense, he brought a dynamic offense to UNLV under coordinator Brennan Marion. Odom also likely would help UCLA maintain its positive trajectory on defense.
Baylor coach Dave Aranda: Hear me out on this one. Aranda's profile obviously has dropped significantly since helping Baylor to a Big 12 title and a No. 5 finish in 2021. After a 3-9 clunker last fall, he's firmly on the hot seat entering the 2024 season. He also might be the perfect coach to elevate UCLA as it makes its Big Ten transition. Aranda turned down several Pac-12 opportunities in 2021, but he has always looked at UCLA in a different light. He grew up not far from campus in Redlands, California, and attended Cal Lutheran in Thousand Oaks. His personality and approach fits UCLA better than Baylor, and he also would bring Big Ten knowledge after three highly successful seasons as Wisconsin's defensive coordinator. UCLA would be rescuing him, to a degree, but it still might be the right move.
Nebraska defensive coordinator Tony White: He's a UCLA alum who has established himself as a coordinator away from Westwood, but should gain consideration to come back. White, 44, was a UCLA graduate assistant in 2007 before spending much of his career learning the 3-3-5 defensive scheme under guru Rocky Long. He has been a coordinator at Arizona State, Syracuse and Nebraska, where his work last season stood out. White has charisma and coast-to-coast experience after living and working in different spots. He soon will be ready to lead his own program.