A turbulent chapter in UCLA athletics
Martin Jarmond, who had served as UCLA’s athletic director since 2020, was removed from his position by Chancellor Julio Frenk amid mounting criticism of his leadership.
The decision follows a series of missteps that included a sluggish response to name, image and likeness (NIL) regulations, uneven revenue‑sharing models and a noticeable dip in the football program’s competitiveness.
In the wake of the controversy, Frenk tapped former Los Angeles Lakers executive Tim Harris to serve as interim chief executive officer and athletic director, tasking him with restoring fiscal health and operational efficiency to the department.
Jarmond’s tenure also saw the hiring of DeShaun Foster as head coach in 2024, a move that sparked widespread criticism and was labeled by many observers as one of the most ill‑fated coaching appointments in recent college‑football history.
Fans expressed their discontent publicly, organizing a "Fire Jarmond" banner campaign and voicing frustration over the administration’s handling of coach relations and booster expectations.
The administration says the interim leadership will implement structural reforms aimed at modernizing UCLA athletics, improving financial stewardship and fostering a more professional culture across all sports programs.