The coaching carousel in college football is heating up again, and this time UCLA finds itself at the center of speculation. After parting ways with Deshaun Foster, the Bruins are actively evaluating their next move, and one name that has emerged as a strong possibility is South Florida head coach Alex Golesh. While the connection might seem straightforward on the surface—an up-and-coming coach being considered for a Power Five job—it could also reveal something deeper about how UCLA is approaching its future at quarterback, particularly with highly touted signal-caller Nico Iamaleava.
Golesh, currently leading the USF Bulls, has built a reputation as an innovative offensive mind. Before landing his head coaching role in Tampa, he served as Tennessee’s offensive coordinator under Josh Heupel, where he played a pivotal role in crafting the explosive, high-tempo system that made the Volunteers one of the most exciting teams in the nation. It was during this time that Golesh became connected with Iamaleava, a five-star quarterback recruit and one of the biggest prizes in the 2023 class.
According to The Sporting News’s Bill Bender, this shared history between Golesh and Iamaleava might not be a coincidence. While Iamaleava ultimately committed to Tennessee, his relationship with the offensive staff—including Golesh—was a major part of that process. Now, with UCLA potentially eyeing Golesh to step in as their next head coach, it raises intriguing questions about whether the Bruins are positioning themselves to maximize Iamaleava’s skill set should he ever consider transferring back to his home state.
For UCLA, the decision isn’t just about finding a replacement for Foster; it’s about charting a new direction for a program eager to reestablish itself as a Pac-12 and national contender. Hiring Golesh would signal a commitment to an offensive identity that could attract top talent and develop quarterbacks in a system that has already proven successful at the highest levels of college football.
Of course, this remains speculation for now. Golesh has his own project underway at USF, where he has been tasked with rebuilding the program and restoring its competitiveness in the American Athletic Conference. But UCLA’s interest shows just how highly his coaching stock has risen.
Whether or not this leads to an eventual reunion with Nico Iamaleava remains to be seen. Still, the potential hiring of Golesh could represent more than just a coaching change—it could be a glimpse into UCLA’s long-term vision for its offense and perhaps even its quarterback future.