The coaching shake-up at UCLA continued on Tuesday, Sept. 30.
According to an initial report from Ben Bolch of the L.A. Times, the Bruins and offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri have mutually parted ways. Sunseri becomes the second coordinator to leave since the school announced the firing of head coach DeShaun Foster on Sept. 14. Defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe also left the team earlier in September.
Tight ends coach Jerry Neuheisel will take over the play-calling duties for UCLA for its Oct. 4 matchup against No. 6 Penn State at the Rose Bowl. In addition, the L.A. Times reports that former UCLA offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone will assume analyst responsibilities.
Sunseri was the co-offensive coordinator at Indiana under Curt Cignetti in 2024, a season in which the Hoosiers’ offense averaged 47.8 points per game and reached the College Football Playoff. He shared coordinating responsibilities with Mike Shanahan.
UCLA is scheduled to travel to Bloomington, Indiana, for a matchup against Cignetti and the Hoosiers on Saturday, Oct. 25. It seems Sunseri will not be with the team for a reunion.
The success Sunseri enjoyed with Indiana has not followed him to Los Angeles, despite the addition of Tennessee transfer quarterback Nico Iamaleava. The Bruins have averaged just 14.2 points per game, ranking 132nd among FBS teams. Only Northern Illinois (10.3 ppg) and UMass (12.3) have averaged less. UCLA is also averaging 321.2 yards per game, which ranks 117th nationally.
Mazzone previously served as UCLA’s offensive coordinator from 2012 to 2015 under head coach Jim Mora.