UCLA AD Martin Jarmond’s Genius Moves Saved UCLA Football

At least that’s how Martin is telling the story to anyone that will listen. Can’t link the LATimes story behind a paywall. But yeah, Jarmond is telling reporters he saved the season. Doesn’t sound like he is getting fired, more like he is campaigning to keep his job.

https://x.com/latbbolch/status/1977707769093345363

Some Excerpts from Writer Ben Bolch, (Reporter is cooked at UCLA for writing this)

“UCLA had nearly rinsed all of the stain off its horrible start to the football season Saturday when the spin cycle commenced in the press box.

Late in the third quarter, with the Bruins pummeling Michigan State and well on the way to a second consecutive impressive victory, athletic director Martin Jarmondapproached me at my seat inside Spartan Stadium.

The visit had a dual purpose. Jarmond wanted to take credit for the team’s turnaround under its new coaching staff and also plead for more positive coverage, saying a recent article I had written about his leadership was one-sided even though he had not read it. Jarmond asked me to be fair and balanced, saying there were many others I did not speak with who were supportive of the work he had done in his more than five years on the job.

He told me that interim coach Tim Skipper and he had jointly decided to elevate Jerry Neuheisel to playcaller. Then, after circling back to talk to me a second time a few minutes later, Jarmond tried to say that information was off the record when I told him I was tweeting it even though he started the conversation in a public setting in front of other reporters and communications staff, never setting any restrictions typically required if you are seeking anonymity.

Jarmond finished his spiel by saying the coaching changes made amid the team’s winless start represented leadership in difficult times.
Maybe so, but who’s responsible for creating those difficult times? Jarmond failed to fire Chip Kelly when it was clear to even the most casual fan that it was a move long overdue, saying he wanted continuity and stability for a program moving into the Big Ten Conference. While it was widely reported Kelly was interviewing for numerous other jobs, Jarmond appeared surprised Kelly landed one as Ohio State’s offensive coordinator in February 2024. Kelly’s departure forced Jarmond to find a replacement after the coaching carousel had long stopped spinning.

Self-imposing a needless 96-hour deadline, Jarmond pivoted to DeShaun Foster, a beloved running backs coach who was not on anyone else’s list for an offensive coordinator job, much less a head coaching position. Foster was widely respected as a position coach but possessed clear limitations in experience for his new role and as a public speaker, one of the essential responsibilities of a head coach.

Nineteen months later, on the day he dismissed Foster after only 15 games and an 0-3 start to the season, Jarmond changed his story on his handling of the Kelly situation. His new narrative implied that his hands were tied, Jarmond saying that “many stakeholders and factors” go into a coaching change.

He also acknowledged regrets about putting Foster in a situation for which he was clearly not qualified, essentially setting him up to fail.