Former UCLA football players urge chancellor to

A large group of former UCLA football players despatched a letter to chancellor Julio Frenk earlier this month asking for besieged athletic director Martin Jarmond to get replaced “to reestablish the university’s commitment to excellence, both on and off the field.”

The 64 players, who signify a number of eras of UCLA football spanning coaches Bob Toledo to Chip Kelly and embody a number of who went on to play in the NFL, wrote to “express deep concern with the current direction of UCLA Athletics under Martin Jarmond. Despite the resources, history, and opportunities at his disposal, Mr. Jarmond has not demonstrated the level of leadership or vision consistent with UCLA’s proud legacy. Rather than building on the foundations of greatness established by those before him, his tenure has fallen short of advancing UCLA to its rightful place among the nation’s premier programs.

“UCLA deserves an athletic director who understands that this role is not merely about administration, but about stewardship of a legacy — one rooted in excellence, historic achievement, and national leadership. Unfortunately, Mr. Jarmond has not embodied these values, nor has he positioned UCLA Athletics to rise to the standard its history demands.”

The letter went on to call for new management, saying it was half of a motion “bigger than any one of us. Former players have joined forces — through countless calls, texts, and meetings — to push this cause forward. We are united in our commitment to protecting the proud legacy of UCLA football and athletics.”

In a assertion to The Times, Frenk said the college will continue to stand behind Jarmond: “At a top university like UCLA, a successful athletics program plays a powerful role in building community and strengthening connections. We deeply value the views of our Bruin alumni on how to maintain and elevate our legendary athletics program across all sports. Athletic Director Jarmond has UCLA’s support, and we will continue to work with him to build a successful program that embodies the greatness of Bruins, on and off the field.”

Jarmond has come under fire since the dismissal of coach DeShaun Foster after only 15 video games illuminated the athletic director’s stewardship of the football program. Jarmond’s refusal to fire Kelly before Kelly abruptly left in February 2024 to take a job as offensive coordinator at Ohio State led to the whirlwind hiring of Foster, a place coach whose deficiencies as a head coach had been on full show while posting a 5-10 file that included an 0-3 start this season.

Others have since criticized Jarmond for a broad vary of shortcomings, including an inadequate response to leaked donor data, lowered expectations for success involving a once-proud football program and carte blanch spending that has led to staggering athletic division deficits.

A petition in search of Jarmond’s removing or resignation garnered 1,462 signatures and a cellular billboard truck circled Westwood with messages such as “UCLA Football Deserves Better Fire AD Martin Jarmond” and “$7 Million Buyout for UCLA’s AD? Failure Never Paid So Well.”

Some have questioned why Jarmond was granted a contract extension in May 2024, at a time when UCLA was transitioning from outgoing chancellor Gene Block to Frenk. According to the phrases of that extension, Jarmond could be owed roughly $7.1 million, or the full quantity of a contract that runs through June 30, 2029, if he was terminated without trigger.

Many seem to need him gone before then. Before each of the football crew’s last two home video games at the Rose Bowl, an airplane has flown over the stadium pulling a banner calling for his dismissal.