CHICAGO — UCLA's new head football coach, Bob Chesney, made a notable impression at the Big Ten media days with a poised and articulate presentation, contrasting sharply with the tenure of his predecessor, DeShaun Foster. Chesney's opening remarks were described as confident and visionary, selling a tangible plan for the rebuilding program.
During his initial address, Chesney spoke for over four minutes without pause, conveying a sense of readiness and belief in the UCLA brand. "There’s no better place I’d rather be at this moment in time," Chesney stated. "I strongly believe in the power of what UCLA is."
Unlike Foster, who was noted for mumbling and appearing anxious in his own debut two years prior, Chesney exuded salesman-like confidence. Foster's brief tenure ended after an 0-3 start to his second season, despite delivering a more credible monologue in his second media days appearance. Chesney, by contrast, appears to blend the charisma of former UCLA coach Terry Donahue, the fire of Jim Mora, and the emotional intelligence of Dick Vermeil.
Despite the buzz around Chesney, UCLA was picked to finish in the bottom half of the 18-team Big Ten in early media polls, placing 12th and 13th in different rankings. Even with returning star quarterback Nico Iamaleava and other accomplished players, the team faces significant challenges in its new conference.
Chesney has a track record of success at his previous coaching stops, including Assumption, Salve Regina, Holy Cross, and James Madison. His teams typically reached a bowl game or the playoffs by their second year. However, the Atlantic Coast Conference presents a tougher path than his previous leagues, which did not feature powerhouses like Ohio State or Michigan. Questions remain about whether his formula will translate to this more competitive environment and how his James Madison transfers will elevate the Bruins.
To aid the transition, Chesney brought 10 players with him from James Madison, and at least a handful are expected to be starters, including edge rusher Sahir West, wide receiver Landon Ellis, and running back Wayne Knight. He also retained much of his coaching staff, including offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy and defensive coordinator Colin Hitschler, emphasizing the importance of continuity and shared language within the program.
"The continuity part is really reassuring to me and sets you at ease just a little bit better when you know the offense that’s being run, you know how those players are being communicated with," Chesney commented. "You know the same thing on the defensive side, the special teams side. You also know the same thing in the strength and conditioning side. So I think all those elements are reassuring to me to know who we are, to know these guys speak our same language."
The schedule for Chesney's debut season includes nonconference games against California, San Diego State, and Nevada, which are considered winnable. The Big Ten schedule presents tougher tests, with a road game at Oregon appearing to be the most challenging outside of matchups against Michigan and USC.
Big Ten Network analyst Jake Butt has lauded Chesney as "maybe the best hire of the offseason" and predicted UCLA would "take a major step forward." Ultimately, it falls on Chesney to ensure his team exceeds expectations and translates the positive energy from his media day performance into on-field success. When Chesney concluded his remarks, UCLA athletics director Martin Jarmond offered a supportive handshake, signaling a hopeful start for the new coaching era.