Troy Aikman, a legendary figure at UCLA and a former NFL quarterback, has voiced strong support for the university's new head football coach, Bob Chesney. Aikman appeared on "The Rich Eisen Show" to share his optimism about Chesney's ability to revitalize the UCLA program.
"As someone who’s been around a lot of really great coaches, you just kind of know when one has it, and this guy has it," Aikman stated, emphasizing Chesney's success at previous coaching stops. "He’s proven it everywhere he’s been."
Chesney recently coached his first game for UCLA, securing a decisive 45-24 victory over California. The Bruins implemented a significant halftime adjustment, focusing on their running game to amass 277 rushing yards. Senior running backs Anthony Woods and Wayne Knight were key contributors, scoring a combined five touchdowns. This win marked UCLA's first victory against California since 2022.
"It was such a great hire for UCLA, and it was a big win to go on the road," Aikman commented, noting the importance of starting the season strong to set expectations.
Chesney took over the head coaching position following the dismissal of DeShaun Foster, who was fired after UCLA began the previous season with an 0-3 record. A committee, including notable figures like Casey Wasserman and Bob Myers, was formed to select the new coach. Chesney was hired shortly after the regular season concluded, having previously led James Madison to the College Football Playoff with a 12-2 record.
Beyond game performance, Chesney has also been actively involved in recruiting efforts. UCLA's current recruiting class is ranked No. 19 nationally by 247Sports, with Chesney making appearances at high school practices across Southern California. "Super excited about him and what he’s going to do for the program," Aikman added.