Bob Chesney is preparing for his first season as the head coach of UCLA football, entering the Big Ten conference after a rapid ascent from the Football Championship Subdivision. Chesney, who led James Madison to the College Football Playoff last season, stated that his success stems from adaptability rather than a single secret formula.
"I think it’s my willingness and my ability to learn and figure out exactly what needs to be done and do it in all those situations … where people never thought you possibly could," Chesney said at Big Ten media days. "That’s what gives me the confidence" at the Power Four level.
UCLA has not been a consistent force in college football for over a decade, and Chesney faces a significant to-do list as the Bruins prepare to open fall camp. Several key questions surround the team as it transitions into a new conference.
One of the primary areas of focus is the performance of quarterback Nico Iamaleava. Last season, Iamaleava was at times more effective with his legs than his arm, partly due to an offensive line that provided limited protection. His accuracy on medium and deep routes will be crucial, especially as defenses are expected to scheme to force him to beat them through the air. Iamaleava completed 64.4% of his passes last season, ranking eighth in the Big Ten. An improvement in this area could significantly enhance the offense.
The defensive front, particularly the edge rush, also presents questions. The Bruins hope to bolster their pass rush with the arrival of Sahir West from James Madison and the continued development of Scott Taylor. West recorded seven sacks and 14 tackles for loss last season but was largely contained in the CFP against Oregon. Nico Davillier, who missed all of last season, has been cleared and is expected to provide depth after showing promise at Arkansas.
The offensive line is another critical area. UCLA boasts 23 offensive linemen on its roster, providing ample depth. Jordan Davis is a candidate for left tackle, having started 30 games at South Alabama. Riley Robell, a transfer from James Madison, is expected to compete for the center position. Eugene Brooks is anticipated to retain his starting guard spot, with Carter Sweazie or Julian Armella likely filling the other. Harvard transfer Derek Osman and Boise State transfer Hall Schmidt are also in contention for starting roles.
The running game is also a point of concern, particularly after the team's leading rusher was the quarterback last season. Running backs Jaivian Thomas and Anthony Woods, who showed promise at previous schools, struggled in their first year with UCLA. However, they demonstrated improvement in the spring, as did Troy Leigber and Karson Cox. The highly touted newcomer Wayne Knight, a standout from Chesney's James Madison offense, has been fully cleared after a limited spring session and is expected to contribute.
Chesney has brought significant continuity to the program, including seven assistant coaches and additional support staff from James Madison. This established familiarity could help the Bruins mitigate the typical struggles faced by teams under new leadership in their first season.