Bob Chesney Takes the Helm: A New Era for UCLA Football
UCLA has officially announced the hiring of Bob Chesney as their new football coach, following his successful tenure at James Madison. Chesney is expected to bring some of his current assistant coaches with him to UCLA, including offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy and defensive coordinator Colin Hitschler, who have experience at the Power Four conference level. Both Kennedy and Hitschler were instrumental in the success of the Dukes, with their units ranking in the top 10 nationally in scoring offense and defense, respectively.
Chesney's coaching journey has seen him rise from Division III to Division II to the Football Championship Subdivision, amassing an impressive 132-51 record along the way. His success at James Madison, where he went 21-5 in two seasons, has earned him the opportunity to lead the UCLA football program. Chesney will have the support of a third-party media and branding agency, Champion of Westwood, as well as a third-party alumni group and mentorship program, Bruins for Life.
As Chesney assembles his coaching staff and prepares for the upcoming season, he will face the challenge of rebuilding the UCLA roster. The team had a tough season, finishing 3-9 and lacking All-Big Ten selections. However, Chesney's track record of success and recruiting efforts at James Madison could help accelerate the rebuilding process at UCLA. The transfer portal opening on January 2 will be a crucial date for the Bruins as they look to bolster their roster.
With familiar faces from James Madison potentially joining him at UCLA, Chesney will have a strong foundation to build upon. The team's high school recruiting class, which includes players Chesney was previously recruiting, shows promise for the future. Chesney will also need to prioritize retaining key players with remaining eligibility, such as quarterback Nico Iamaleava, wide receiver Kwazi Gilmer, and defensive back Kanye Clark, among others.
Overall, Chesney's hiring marks a new chapter for UCLA football, with high hopes for a successful turnaround under his leadership. The upcoming season will be a test for Chesney and his staff as they work to elevate the program and compete at a higher level in the Pac-12 conference.