UCLA's new football coach was hired at a deep discount.
Deshaun Foster's five-year contract with a first-year salary of $3 million is about half the annual contract with his predecessor Chip Kelly, according to a memorandum of understanding reviewed by the Times on Thursday.
Mr. Foster will receive a $100,000 raise each year, increasing to $3.1 million in his second year, $3.2 million in his third year, $3.3 million in his fourth year and $3.4 million in his fifth year. He already received a hiring bonus of $250,000, and with the raise he will receive a one-time retention bonus of $500,000. He remains employed by the school as of March 15, 2026, and will receive an additional $500,000 retention bonus if he remains employed as of March 15, 2028.
Foster's buyout comes with a percentage reduction in his remaining salary based on the number of years remaining on his contract. For example, if UCLA were to buy him out after two seasons on December 2, 2025, he would receive 60% of his remaining salary in his third year and 40% of his remaining salary in his fourth and fifth years. % is obligated to be paid. The total cost is approximately $5.27 million. If the Bruins acquired Foster on Dec. 2, 2026, after his third season, the purchase price would drop to $3.35 million.
If Foster leaves UCLA by Dec. 31, 2024, he will have to pay the school $10 million. If Foster retires by Dec. 31, 2025, that figure drops to $7 million. $5 million if he retires before December 31, 2026. $2.5 million if you retire before December 31, 2027. $1 million if you retire before December 31, 2028.
Foster's bonus is to earn him $50,000 if the Bruins win six games. If you win seven games, you get another $50,000. If you win 8 games, you get another $100,000. If you win nine games, you get another $100,000. If they win 10 games, they will receive an additional $100,000. Foster will earn $100,000 if UCLA makes the Big Ten championship game and an additional $100,000 if the Bruins win.
Playing in the bowl game would give Foster a $100,000 bonus, increasing by $50,000 if the Bruins win the game. Foster will receive a $200,000 bonus for appearing in the College Football Playoff, with an additional $150,000 for each CFP win. If the Bruins were the CFP national champions, Foster would earn an additional $200,000.
Foster will receive a $50,000 bonus if he finishes in the top 10 in the final Associated Press rankings, and the coach will earn an additional $100,000 for finishing in the top five. Foster will earn $50,000 if he is named Big Ten coach of the year by the Associated Press or the American Football Coaches Association and $100,000 if he is named national coach of the year. .
