UCLA makes huge change in leadership ahead of 2026 college football season

The UCLA Bruins have reportedly let go of athletic director Martin Jarmond.

This move comes just days before the 2026 college football season kicks off for the Bruins. It's a tough spot in a tough moment, but the stakes are made even higher here because head football coach Bob Chesney is heading into his very first game with the program.

The Bruins take on the Cal Golden Bears in a huge in-state matchup on Sept. 5 on ESPN.

UCLA parts ways with athletic director Martin Jarmond

Former Los Angeles Lakers executive Tim Harris has been conducting an athletic department audit, and whatever he found appears to have been enough for UCLA to make this move at this time.

Per Bruin Report Online, the decision was made by UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk "after long deliberations."

It's also a costly decision, as Jarmond's buyout is reportedly $6.5 million. That money will apparently be covered by UCLA donors.

Per David Woods of Bruin Report Online, revenue issues as well as a lack of support for Jarmond within the athletic department played the main roles in this decision by UCLA.

"From what we’ve heard, Jarmond’s approach to NIL and revenue sharing, particularly his resistance and slow adaptation to the landscape, was a significant blow to his standing within the department and among UCLA coaches," wrote Woods. "There were other factors as well. Jarmond’s management of football, treatment of fans, approach to boosters, and general lack of productive relationships with his coaches and staffers all played a role."

Jarmond has been the athletic director at UCLA since 2020, and he did oversee the Bruins' transition to the Big Ten. Revenue sharing and talent acquisition are a major part of the puzzle in the NIL and transfer portal era of college sports, though, and Jarmond was apparently found lacking in that department.

Harris will serve as the interim CEO and athletic director on a pro bono basis while the Bruins look ahead to the future.