Nov 24, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins interim coach Jedd Fisch reacts during an NCAA football game against the California Golden Bears at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Former UCLA Interim HC Denounces Strict Media Policies

Originally posted on UCLA Bruins on SI | By Connor Moreno | Last updated Aug 22, 2025 12:00 PM ET

DeShaun Foster garnered the attention of much of the college football landscape on Wednesday after explaining why he instituted UCLA football's strictest media policy at fall camp in years.

Although fans applaud his dedication to winning by any means, many media members and even coaches had a different thought on it.

Former UCLA offensive coordinator and interim head coach Jedd Fisch had his own opinion. Here's what the current Washington Huskies coach said about it when asked about the situation by longtime Washington football reporter Kim Grinolds:

"I don't know why they do that. For me personally, I want our players to be comfortable playing in front of anybody that wants to watch. You all have a job to do and to give you the opportunity to see what's happening out there, I have no problem with that. Everybody here has been great on not reporting on injuries or certain schematic things. Outside of that, we all have a responsibility to promote our players. We're in a new world here with Name, Image, and Likeness. Over the last four years we've all learned different aspects of how to market our team and brand and help our guys succeed in the community. I think one of the best ways to do that is allow the community to meet our guys."

I asked Jedd Fisch this after we got back from Vegas.On opening practices up while others are closing them down..."I don't know why they do that. For me personally, I want our players to be comfortable playing in front of anybody that wants to watch. You all have a job to do and…
— Kim Grinolds (@KimGrinolds) August 20, 2025

Foster's Opinion On The Matter

UCLA football's media access through 2025 training camp has been more restrictive than in prior years. Why?

As second-year head coach DeShaun Foster explains, it's about winning and maintaining even the slightest bit of competitive advantage over his opponents.

"Yeah, you guys film our practice and put it online," Foster said to the media during Wednesday's media availability. "If I was an opponent for another team, I'd look right at your guys' stuff and see what's going on. So for them not to get a beat on Tino [Sunseri] or depth or anything that's going on, that's why it's closed."

Foster's media access policies go beyond giving reporters a lot of time to watch practice, or even recording said practice. There were no players made available on Wednesday, and he has cut off access to exclusive player and feature interviews.

"That's the same thing," Foster added. "Because if they come over and interview, then you guys are gonna ask me, 'Are they a starter? Are they this? Are they that?' It's tough, but we're trying to win games."

Another potential consequence of restricting the media: fans having less access to their favorite team. Does Foster believe that will affect the program's marketing?

"No, I'll let you guys handle all of that," he said. "And I'm not worried about the marketing. Because what marketing does, if you win games, you're marketed. So we're going to go out there and focus on winning games. That's why we left for training camp. But if I was just trying to just let everything be open, we could have just stayed right here and did that. We're going to work and go away and come back and everything's going to be fine."

This article first appeared on UCLA Bruins on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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