Nov 8, 2024; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe, center, celebrates with linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) defensive back Jaylin Davies (6) after an interception in the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Just days after it fired DeShaun Foster in his second season, UCLA is also making a change at coordinator.

On Wednesday, the Bruins fired defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe amid their early-season struggles on defense. UCLA is currently allowing 36 points per game, tying for the 121st-ranked scoring in the nation. The Bruins have particularly struggled against the run, ranking No. 132 out of 136 while allowing 244 yards on the ground per game.

Malloe was a holdover from previous coach Chip Kelly's staff, under whom he served initially as an analyst before becoming the special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach in 2022 and defensive line coach in 2023. Kelly promoted Malloe to defensive coordinator following the 2023 season, and Foster honored that promotion when he was hired following Kelly's departure shortly after.

It likely won't be the last change we see to the staff at UCLA, which is having a rough start to the 2025 season. The Bruins are 0-3 and have suffered a pair of Group of Five losses, falling to UNLV in Week 2 before an embarrassing 35-10 loss to New Mexico in Week 3, which proved to be the last straw for Foster.

The decision to fire Foster came just 15 games into his UCLA tenure, and he left his alma mater with a 5-10 record.

Who is UCLA's interim defensive coordinator?

With Malloe out, it seems UCLA doesn't have an obvious candidate to replace him in the interim. Tim Skipper, who was previously a special assistant to Foster, was promoted to interim head coach this week and announced on Wednesday that Malloe is no longer with the program.

Rather than promote a new defensive coordinator, Skipper said that coordinator duties will be a collaborative effort across the defensive staff.

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This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: UCLA makes a change at defensive coordinator after firing DeShaun Foster

Reporting by Tyler Nettuno, College Sports Wire / College Sports Wire

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