The UCLA Bruins may have found their next leader on the sidelines — and he’s one of their own. Jerry Neuheisel, the team’s tight ends coach, became the talk of Pasadena after guiding the Bruins to a 42–37 upset win over Penn State at the Rose Bowl. It was not just a victory — it was a statement.
Neuheisel’s debut as a play-caller breathed new life into a UCLA offense that had struggled all season, and the energy surrounding him afterward suggested something special might be brewing in Westwood.
A Memorable Debut: “All They Did Was Believe”
When UCLA fired offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri earlier in the week, few expected much from the Bruins heading into Saturday’s game. With just two days to implement a new game plan, Neuheisel was handed play-calling duties — a daunting task for a coach making his first-ever appearance in that role.
But under Neuheisel’s direction, UCLA’s offense exploded for 42 points, nearly doubling their previous season high of 23. The result wasn’t just an offensive turnaround; it was a cultural spark. Players carried him off the field in celebration, fans chanted his name, and the locker room was filled with emotional energy not seen in months.
“I love UCLA more than anything,” Neuheisel said after the game. “The kind of kids you saw play on that field 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.”
A Bruin Through and Through
Jerry Neuheisel’s connection to UCLA runs deep. A quarterback for the Bruins from 2012–2015, he famously stepped up in 2014 to lead UCLA to a memorable win over Texas after starter Brett Hundley went down. Since joining the coaching staff in 2018, he’s worked his way up from graduate assistant to wide receivers coach, and now tight ends coach — embodying the hard work and loyalty that Bruins fans admire.
He also carries a family legacy at UCLA: his father, Rick Neuheisel, was both a quarterback and head coach for the Bruins. That lineage, coupled with Jerry’s evident passion for the program, has endeared him to players, fans, and alumni alike.
The Case for the Future
UCLA’s search for a new head coach is underway following DeShaun Foster’s departure, with Tim Skipper currently serving as interim head coach. Yet, Saturday’s performance has sparked conversations about whether Neuheisel could be more than just a short-term spark.
His leadership, creative play-calling, and ability to inspire the locker room have made an undeniable impression. While some might argue it’s too soon for him to take the reins of a Big Ten program, UCLA may not want to overlook the momentum and heart he’s brought back to Westwood.
For now, Jerry Neuheisel has given the Bruins something priceless — belief. And that might be exactly what UCLA needs as it prepares for a new era.