As the days continue to pass, Nico Iamaleava’s decision to leave the University of Tennessee for UCLA seems worse than the last. The Bruins are one of four teams in the FBS still without a win, dropping to 0-4 after their 17-14 loss to Northwestern in Week 4. If that wasn’t obvious enough, the Bruins’ latest move should all but raise the white flag on Iamaleava’s transfer.
On September 30, the L.A. Times’ Ben Bolch reported that UCLA offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri was leaving the team in a “mutual parting of ways.” He wasn’t the first. Defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe also departed in a mutual split earlier in September. This all came after head coach DeShaun Foster was fired following UCLA’s 35-10 loss to New Mexico in Week 3.
Iamaleava will now have tight ends coach Jerry Neuheisel calling plays for him.
None of this will likely change how the Bruins perform this season, further illustrating how Iamaleava’s transfer will be labeled as a moment of infamy rather than triumph.
“The results, thus far, haven’t returned the investment the Bruins hoped for. UCLA is the only team in the FBS that hasn’t led in a game this season,” CBS Sports’ Cameron Salerno said of Iamaleava’s transfer.
UCLA is Headed Toward Historic Worst Season
Iamaleava went from a contending SEC program that made the College Football Playoff a year ago in Tennessee to the Bruins, who haven’t sniffed a conference title in nearly three decades.
Sure, the Vols have had their share of struggles, but under Josh Heupel — the coach who recruited Iamaleava — they’ve been trending upward. Meanwhile, UCLA spiraled so badly that Chip Kelly left to become an offensive coordinator at Ohio State.
Things don’t look to be improving. Starting 0-4, there’s a real chance the Bruins won’t win a game this season, according to USA Today’s Matthew Glenesk.
“It kind of feels like piling on at this point, but Saturday was probably UCLA’s best chance at getting a win this year,” Glenesk wrote. “And hey, the Bruins actually covered, so if you want to take solace in that, go for it.”
UCLA’s Remaining Schedule is Brutal
One of the reasons for Iamaleava’s departure from Tennessee was reportedly the lack of help around him. That makes his move even more questionable after watching the Bruins in 2025.
Iamaleava has been sacked nine times in four games and is being pressured at one of the highest rates in the FBS. He ranks 76th nationally in QBR, throwing for 788 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions, completing 65.3% of his passes.
Don’t expect those numbers to improve. UCLA’s final nine games are against opponents with one loss or fewer. Three of those will be on the road in Big Ten play, including matchups with top-10 teams Indiana and Ohio State.
That means there’s a very real chance Iamaleava and this year’s Bruins could go winless — a first in program history. UCLA has only had two one-win teams, and every other year has produced at least three victories.
If this season keeps unraveling, Iamaleava’s transfer won’t be remembered as bold — only as a karmic blunder.