A big group of former UCLA soccer gamers despatched a letter to chancellor Julio Frenk earlier this month asking for besieged athletic director Martin Jarmond to get replaced “to reestablish the college’s dedication to excellence, each on and off the sector.”
The 64 gamers, who characterize a number of eras of UCLA soccer spanning coaches Bob Toledo to Chip Kelly and embody a number of who went on to play within the NFL, wrote to “categorical deep concern with the present route of UCLA Athletics underneath Martin Jarmond. Regardless of the sources, historical past, and alternatives at his disposal, Mr. Jarmond has not demonstrated the extent of management or imaginative and prescient in step with UCLA’s proud legacy. Reasonably than constructing on the foundations of greatness established by these earlier than him, his tenure has fallen in need of advancing UCLA to its rightful place among the many nation’s premier applications.
“UCLA deserves an athletic director who understands that this position shouldn’t be merely about administration, however about stewardship of a legacy — one rooted in excellence, historic achievement, and nationwide management. Sadly, Mr. Jarmond has not embodied these values, nor has he positioned UCLA Athletics to rise to the usual its historical past calls for.”
The letter went on to name for brand spanking new management, saying it was a part of a motion “larger than any one in every of us. Former gamers have joined forces — by means of numerous calls, texts, and conferences — to push this trigger ahead. We’re united in our dedication to defending the proud legacy of UCLA soccer and athletics.”
In an announcement to The Instances, Frenk stated the college will proceed to face behind Jarmond: “At a prime college like UCLA, a profitable athletics program performs a strong position in constructing group and strengthening connections. We deeply worth the views of our Bruin alumni on tips on how to preserve and elevate our legendary athletics program throughout all sports activities. Athletic Director Jarmond has UCLA’s assist, and we’ll proceed to work with him to construct a profitable program that embodies the greatness of Bruins, on and off the sector.”
Jarmond has come underneath hearth because the dismissal of coach DeShaun Foster after solely 15 video games illuminated the athletic director’s stewardship of the soccer program. Jarmond’s refusal to fireplace Kelly earlier than 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 have been on full show whereas posting a 5-10 file that included an 0-3 begin this season.
Others have since criticized Jarmond for a broad vary of shortcomings, together with an inadequate response to leaked donor information, lowered expectations for fulfillment involving a once-proud soccer program and carte blanch spending that has led to staggering athletic division deficits.
A petition in search of Jarmond’s elimination or resignation garnered 1,462 signatures and a cell billboard truck circled Westwood with messages similar to “UCLA Soccer Deserves Higher Hearth AD Martin Jarmond” and “$7 Million Buyout for UCLA’s AD? Failure By no means Paid So Properly.”
Some have questioned why Jarmond was granted a contract extension in Might 2024, at a time when UCLA was transitioning from outgoing chancellor Gene Block to Frenk. Based on the phrases of that extension, Jarmond could be owed roughly $7.1 million, or the complete quantity of a contract that runs by means of June 30, 2029, if he was terminated with out trigger.
Many seem to need him gone earlier than then. Earlier than every of the soccer workforce’s final two residence video games on the Rose Bowl, an airplane has flown over the stadium pulling a banner calling for his dismissal.
