Derek Carr Joins UCLA Football Staff as Special Adviser for QBs

Derek Carr Steps Into a Coaching Role at UCLA

Derek Carr, the veteran NFL quarterback who spent more than a decade under center in the pros, is joining the UCLA football program as a special adviser, according to a report from The New York Times. His primary focus will be working with the Bruins' quarterbacks, giving the program access to one of the more experienced signal-callers of his generation.

The move marks a significant transition for Carr, who built his professional career largely with the Las Vegas Raiders before a stint with the New Orleans Saints. He retired without ever winning a Super Bowl, but accumulated substantial knowledge of high-level offensive systems and quarterback mechanics. UCLA is betting that experience translates to the college sideline.

Carr's title is listed as special adviser, meaning he steps into an off-field support role rather than a formal position on the coaching staff. That structure is increasingly common in college football, where programs bring in prominent football figures to mentor players without necessarily running full practice sessions or filling a numbered staff slot under NCAA limits.

What Carr Brings to the Bruins

Spending time in the NFL as a starter gives Carr a credibility that few college coaches can match when addressing young quarterbacks. He can speak from direct experience about reading defenses at speed, managing a huddle, and handling the mental side of the position under pressure.

UCLA's quarterback room stands to benefit from that kind of mentorship. College programs increasingly look for this type of arrangement, pulling in former pro players who can connect with recruits and current players in ways that career coaches sometimes cannot. For a program trying to build momentum in the Big Ten after leaving the Pac-12, adding a recognizable name to the support structure sends a signal to recruits.

The Bruins have been working to stabilize the quarterback position as they adjust to life in a more demanding conference. Carr's involvement, even in an advisory capacity, gives the coaching staff another resource to draw from when developing their signal-callers.

A Growing Trend in College Football

Carr joining UCLA fits a broader pattern across college football. Former professional players have been taking on advisory and ambassador-style roles with programs at an accelerating pace. The transfer portal and NIL era have shifted recruiting dynamics, and having a former NFL quarterback in the building carries weight with prospects evaluating their options.

For Carr personally, the role offers a way to stay connected to the game after stepping away from playing. Many quarterbacks who retire find coaching or mentorship a natural next step, and an advisory role at a major program like UCLA allows him to test that path without the full commitment of a traditional coaching contract.

The arrangement also gives UCLA flexibility. Special advisers are not bound by the same restrictions as on-staff coaches in terms of on-field time during certain practice periods, which can make their involvement more fluid throughout the season and in recruiting conversations.

The Times report did not detail the length or financial terms of Carr's arrangement with the program. UCLA has not publicly outlined the specific duties he will carry out week to week, but the quarterback-focused scope of his role suggests he will be a consistent presence for that position group throughout the season.