The UCLA Bruins need a new head football coach, and Jerry Neuheisel is making a case to get that job.
Neuheisel was carried around the field at the Rose Bowl on Saturday after helping lead UCLA to a 42-37 upset win over Penn State in Pasadena, Calif. The players were celebrating him after he made a successful debut as a play-caller.
Neuheisel was a quarterback at UCLA from 2012-2015 under Jim Mora. He went into coaching in 2017 and has been at his alma mater since 2018, working his way up from graduate assistant to wide receivers coach and now tight ends coach. After UCLA fired offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri during the week, Neuheisel was given play-calling duties for the Penn State game.
Under Neuheisel, UCLA put up 42 points, nearly doubling their previous high for the season of 23. The players celebrated him after the game, and fans were even chanting his name.
Bruins fans started “Jerry”chants after OC Jerry Neuheisel led @UCLAFootball to the win in his first game calling plays 🙌 pic.twitter.com/4ocBwJV1rf
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) October 4, 2025
Leading UCLA to big wins in relief is Jerry’s thing. He did the same as a player, leading UCLA to a win against Texas in 2014.
To be clear, Jerry is UCLA’s tight ends coach who just assumed play-calling duties. But he might be promoted to interim offensive coordinator. Tim Skipper is the interim head coach after taking over for DeShaun Foster. But look at how UCLA’s players reacted to Neuheisel in the locker room.
Tamed the Lions 🤭 #4sup pic.twitter.com/bUNWZIjjXn
— UCLA Football (@UCLAFootball) October 4, 2025
Jerry is well known to UCLA fans in part due to his family legacy, and also due to what he has done there. His father Rick was a quarterback and coach at UCLA. Jerry was a beloved player and has been on the coaching staff. Seeing the positive energy he brings, the way he loves UCLA, and how well the players respond to him is significant.
“I love UCLA more than anything. And the kind of kids that you see that played on that field at UCLA today is why you love a place like this. We had two days to practice the new game plan, and all they did was believe,” Neuheisel said Saturday.
"How can you not love college football when you have days like this? Special."@UCLAFootball OC Jerry Neuheisel shares the emotions of taking down No. 7 Penn State. 🩵 pic.twitter.com/1bIitG69pp
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 5, 2025
UCLA needs a new head coach and someone who can lead them through the rigors of the Big Ten. Maybe some will say that it’s far too early for Neuheisel to make that jump. But he certainly has given the Bruins something to think about.
