UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond, brings in former Lakers executive in shakeup

UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond, brings in former Lakers executive in shakeup.

Key points

• Nevertheless, that came while the athletic department was operating at a massive $219.5-million deficit over the past six fiscal years, according to the Los Angeles Times.
• UCLA has let go of athletic director Martin Jarmond days before the 2026 football season begins.
• Former longtime Los Angeles Lakers executive Tim Harris will assume interim role of UCLA athletic director and CEO on a pro bono basis immediately.
• Jarmond, who came to UCLA in 2020, has faced much scrutiny during his tenure.
• Foster's tenure only lasted 15 games, fired after three games into his second season after an 0-3 start.

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Chancellor Julio Frenk made public the ouster Monday, Aug. 31 effective immediately, citing a "new path forward for UCLA athletics."

Former longtime Los Angeles Lakers executive Tim Harris will assume interim role of UCLA athletic director and CEO on a pro bono basis immediately. UCLA will additionally search for a permanent athletic director.

Jarmond, who came to UCLA in 2020, has faced much scrutiny during his tenure. It only ramped up previously couple of years. The pressure mainly focused on football and his handling of the coach position.

UCLA discovered little success under former coach Chip Kelly and calls were produced to remove him, but Jarmond stuck with him, only for him to leave in Feb. 2024 after the coaching cycle already concluded. It led to him hiring former Bruin star running back DeShaun Foster. It was widely criticized given Foster's lack of coaching experience.

Foster's tenure only lasted 15 games, fired after three games into his second season after an 0-3 start. The mishandling of UCLA's initial years in the Major Ten resulted in public outcry for his removal, including a plane flying over the Rose Bowl with a banner that called on him to be fired. His last football hire was current coach Bob Chesney.

There was additionally belief Jarmond was slow in adjusting to the NIL era of college sports. It positioned UCLA behind most schools that have taken advantage of it to become successful in major events.

UCLA must have an athletics model that leads – not just keeps pace, Frenk wrote in a letter to the UCLA community. For generations, UCLA has produced champions and Olympic legends. We are the university of John Wooden. Our student-athletes have inspired generations of Bruins and captured the hearts of individuals worldwide. And their achievements reflect something fundamental regarding UCLA: we believe that excellence has no single arena – it is identified in academics, scholarly and creative work; in student athletic achievement; and in the pursuit of new possibilities.

"That is the tradition we want to carry forward, and that is why we must position UCLA as a leader in this evolving landscape."

Jarmond did have highlights in his time as athletic director, with UCLA winning nine NCAA titles, including women's basketball in 2026. He additionally was key in the Bruins' Sizeable Ten move that positioned it for more revenue.

Nevertheless, that came while the athletic department was operating at a massive $219.5-million deficit over the past six fiscal years, according to the Los Angeles Times. It required bailouts from the university.

"UCLA Athletics at present carries a significant financial deficit, and its current path is not sustainable. Now is the moment to build a model for athletics that protects the breadth of our program, creates new opportunities for student-athletes and coaches, and supports itself through the revenue it generates, " Frenk wrote in a letter to the UCLA community. "I believe UCLA should help lead the transformation of intercollegiate athletics: our future must be shaped by purpose – not by pressure."

Jarmond is due to be owed the $6.5 million remaining on his contract, according to ESPN. He received a contract extension in 2024 when UCLA had an interim chancellor, before it Frenk was appointed the role in January 2025. Tim Harris steps in as UCLA AD.

For context, a former goalkeeper on the men's soccer team, Harris steps in after spending more than 35 years with the Lakers. It included time as the president of business operations and chief marketing officer of the team. He played a pivotal role in securing the team's TV accord with Spectrum SportsNet that greatly climbed the value of the franchise.

Frenk remarked Harris will be tasked with developing a new strategy to grow revenue "through partnerships, licensing and other ventures" while ensuring its teams are able to compete at the highest level.

"Tim knows what it takes to grow a world-class sports organization and global brand, and he holds longstanding relationships throughout Los Angeles and globally. He brings decades of experience in creating partnerships and new sources of revenue, along with a personal focus on centering the student-athlete experience, " Frenk wrote. Share your feedback to support improve our site!

In short, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond, brings in former Lakers executive in shakeup is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.