Two players charged down the field, colliding.

Idle no longer, those on the sideline launched into the air as they cheered on their fellow teammates.

Despite the ostensible winner and loser of the game simulation drill, three things remained constant among every player and coach at Spaulding Field on Saturday morning: smiles, laughter and dancing to the blaring music.

The Bruins were having fun.

Despite the sweeping staff and roster turnover, UCLA football has far from lost its footing. With his first full offseason under his belt, second-year coach DeShaun Foster has continued to refine his culture, handpicking his staff and players to align with his evolving vision for the upcoming season.

Although UCLA seems to be embracing the fun of the sport, wide receivers coach Burl Toler III said the new coaching staff still demands a lot out of one another as well as its players.

“Part of the reason why I came down to UCLA was because of the culture,” Toler said. “It’s an open field in the meeting room, and we challenge each other to figure out what works best for our team. We can trust each other on being upfront about where we need to get better and how we need to improve as a staff first.”

Toler served as California’s wide receivers coach for five years prior to coming to UCLA and brought junior wide receiver Mikey Matthews with him. The Irvine local is helming a receiving corps that lost big names in J.Michael Sturdivant and Logan Loya to Florida and Minnesota, respectively, after the 2024 season.

To bolster the passing attack, Foster also landed redshirt senior quarterback Joey Aguilar and redshirt senior wide receiver Jaedon Wilson, both of whom are expected to play significant roles in offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Tino Sunseri’s novel offense.

“Everybody acts like a starter, and that’s something that I demand out of my guys,” Toler said. “I don’t care how many reps you are getting, and I don’t care what your role is. I treat everyone like a starter.”

Foster’s coaching staff – who pride themselves on being a personable, cohesive unit – has ensured the same energy seeps into the defense departments.

Defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe matched the energy of his players Saturday morning, swaying and shuffling his feet to the music.

Despite his lighthearted nature, however, Malloe means business – and has throughout his extensive coaching career.

Malloe commanded one of the top rushing defenses in the country at UCLA last season, where the squad held teams to 96.2 yards per game on the ground, good for sixth in the nation.

His right-hand man, defensive line coach Jethro Franklin, inherited a number of transfers to replace Jay Toia and Oluwafemi Oladejo after the two declared for the NFL Draft. Franklin – after most recently occupying the same position at his alma mater Fresno State – returned to UCLA, where he was staffed in 1999.

Among these transfers is senior edge rusher Nico Davillier.

“I came here because of the defense they run,” Davillier said. “The coaching staff is very passionate, and coach Malloe puts on his cleats to show us drills.”

Davillier – who has three years of experience at Arkansas – will join redshirt senior Siale Taupaki and redshirt junior Devin Aupiu as likely leaders for UCLA in the trenches.

“I can teach what I know and then ask questions as well,” Davillier said. “It’s about being a voice while being a listener.”

And it is this balance of vocalizing while listening, of paying attention in film while being physical on the practice field and of having fun while maintaining discipline that defines UCLA’s culture.

“Coach Foster told us: ‘Play the game like a child, but don’t be childish,'” Davillier said. “You want to have fun but also want to stay level.”