Quarterback Nico Iamaleava didn’t envision a mid-season coaching change when he committed to the UCLA Bruins back in April. Nor did he anticipate an 0-3 start by the Bruins. Iamaleava spoke with the media on Wednesday about how he’s dealing with a new head coach and newfound struggles with the Bruins.
“Keep the belief. The season hasn’t gone how we wanted it to go but I still got faith in every one of the guys,” Iamaleava said. “We trust Coach Skip and what he has for us. I think just keep the belief that we have in each other.”
Iamaleava was asked if this season has been stressful for him. The QB kept it honest and admitted it had been but this couldn’t have been what he imagined when he left a good program in Tennessee and now finds him and his team as the punchline of jokes so far this season.
“Yeah, in some ways,” Iamaleava said. “You got to move on though. You can’t dwell on these last three games. We really just got to focus on what’s ahead of us. The season is still alive for us.”
Iamaleava and the Bruins have nine games remaining, with their best chances of getting a win coming this week against Northwestern. Regardless of whether Iamaleava wishes to head back to the transfer portal, declare to the NFL Draft or stick with UCLA in 2026, it’s Iamaleava’s best interest to make the best of a poor situation in Westwood for the rest of the season.
“My faith has helped me a lot,” Iamaleava said. “I’ve never really been in this situation where I’m 0-3.”
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Nico Iamaleava speaks about UCLA’s struggles and head coaching change
Reporting by Dylan McNeill, UCLA Wire / UCLA Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
