After further review, By Shaun Foster has changed its stance on a central figure in the halftime brouhaha during the intercity rivalry game.
He UCLA The coach acknowledged Wednesday that head performance coach Corey Miller – whom Foster initially described as a peacemaker – Tensions rose between the teams last weekend after a video surfaced showing Miller making a simulated crying gesture and giving the middle finger at USC players.
Miller regretted his actions, Foster said, and will face unspecified disciplinary measures.
“We talked about it, we sat down and we were able to resolve it internally and he felt pretty bad about it,” Foster said, “so he expressed his feelings to the team and the coaches and everyone, and you have to lead.” with the example here. You can’t be completely out of control in any situation, especially when you’re in a (position) of power, so it was an unfortunate situation and he feels really bad about what happened and getting a penalty. and he made sure to make peace with the team.”
Read more: DeShaun Foster says UCLA was unfairly penalized against USC after halftime altercation
Miller received one of three unsportsmanlike conduct penalties against UCLA, joining wide receiver Kwazi Gilmer and safety Bryan Addison. Foster said after the game that he was told the fight started when a USC player punched Gilmer.
UCLA was forced to kick from its five-yard line to start the third quarter as a result of penalties, but the Trojans were unable to gain a first down and gave the ball back to the Bruins after a turnover.
Foster brought Miller back to UCLA to be part of his new staff before the season after Miller spent the 2022 season as the Bruins’ director of speed and movement. Miller was the assistant director of strength and conditioning for the NFL’s Carolina Panthers during the 2023 season.
“With his additional NFL experience,” Foster said at the time of Miller’s hiring, “I feel there is no one better to support our pillars as we prepare the Bruins for the Big Ten Conference and beyond.”
More money?
Foster said he nominated defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe for the Broyles Award which is given to the best assistant coach in college football.
Might Foster also need to give Malloe a raise given that UCLA lost its last defensive coordinator when D’Anton Lynn Did you double your salary by moving across town to USC?
“This is a real family here, so I think he feels pretty comfortable,” Foster said, “but we still want to make sure we honor him and let him know that we value you and that you’re a great coach for us.” us.”
Malloe’s two-year contract that expires after next season pays him $1 million annually, the same rate Lynn was earning before his departure. Despite massive offseason losses, Malloe has presided over a defense that ranks No. 7 in the country against the run by allowing just 99.3 rushing yards per game.
UCLA ranks 46th nationally in total defense, allowing 346.3 yards per game.
Decisions, decisions
UCLA’s defense could get a big boost next season if Carson Schwesinger he stays still.
The linebacker who has gone from candidate to finalist for the Butkus Award has another season of eligibility remaining, should he decide to use it.
“He let me know from the beginning, like, ‘Coach, we’re going to finish the season and then we’ll evaluate everything after the season,'” Foster said. “He’s really determined to finish this year the right way and I can respect that from a guy like him. I didn’t even want to put anything in his ear because whatever decision he makes, I’ll respect it because Carson is that kind of kid. “He’s really going to do what’s best for him in that situation, especially if he gets the Butkus Award and the way he came in and performed this season, you deserve to have a chance and go to the NFL.”
With the transfer portal scheduled to open on Dec. 9, Foster said, laughing, that he wanted to know his players’ intentions about their future before Dec. 5.
“There’s a tough change,” Foster said, “so we just want to make sure we know exactly what’s going on with our team and how guys are feeling, so we know what we need to fill in and what we need to do.”
This story originally appeared on Los Angeles Times.