Operating in a different scenario than nearly two years ago, when it received a woefully underwhelming recruiting class, UCLA has landed one of the most promising football coaches on the market.
Ending a pursuit that has become increasingly difficult to keep quiet in recent weeks, the Bruins are set to hire James Madison coach Bob Chesney on a five-year deal, as first reported by ESPN's Pete Thamel. As part of the deal, Chesney is expected to remain with his current team until a possible College Football Playoff appearance with the Dukes.
The move represents a dramatic shift for a program desperate for change, with the Bruins selecting an up-and-coming coach who has won everywhere he has gone as part of his own rise. UCLA athletic department officials have not confirmed the pending transfer, which is expected to be announced after James Madison plays Troy in the Sun Belt Conference championship game on Friday.
After tremendous success at the Division III, Division II, Football Championship Subdivision and Football Cup Subdivision levels, Chesney now takes on his toughest task yet – revitalizing a Big Ten team that hasn't achieved anything of national significance in more than a quarter-century.
Winning at the Power Four level is the only hole in Chesney's resume. Extremely successful stints at small colleges in the Salve Regina and Assumption programs led Chesney to Holy Crest, where he led the Crusaders to five consecutive Patriot League championships and four FCS playoff appearances, including their first quarterfinal appearance in 40 years.
James Madison coach Bob Chesney watches his team's match against Washington State at Bridgeforth Stadium on Nov. 22.
(Brian Aho/Getty Images)
The fun ride picked up steam when Chesney replaced Curt Cignetti at James Madison. After his 2024 debut season in which his team went 9-4, Chesney led the Dukes to an 11-1 record this season while going undefeated in the Sun Belt Conference, putting them in contention for a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Chesney's core philosophy involves fostering a growth mindset and instilling confidence through competitions where celebrations are judged as closely as what happens on the field.
“For me,” Chesney said in a Harbaugh Coaching Academy video, “it’s the ability to celebrate small successes, and then you watch somebody just sit a little higher, puff up a little with pride, and then they want to build that confidence, they want to repeat that success.”
Having endeared himself to the UCLA coaching search committee with his outgoing and charismatic personality, Chesney, 48, must now use those same personality traits to attract donors and recruits. UCLA's name, image and likeness are transitioning to new management, and Chesney has a huge role to play in getting the money the Bruins need to compete in the Big Ten. A native of Pennsylvania, he will also have to settle into new territory after spending his entire life on the East Coast.
He was a second-team all-conference quarterback at Dickinson College, where he majored in religion. Early in his career as an assistant, Chesney primarily coached the defensive side of the ball before rising to defensive coordinator at Johns Hopkins. But his teams are known for their versatility: James Madison averages 37.8 points, ranking 10th nationally, but giving up 16 points also ranks 10th.
Chesney replaces DeShawn Foster, who was fired just three games into the season after posting a 5-10 record at his alma mater. Chesney's hiring represented a huge departure from UCLA's strategy in selecting Foster, a coach who is not on any short list as a head coaching candidate.
Chesney is the first active head coach the Bruins have selected since they convinced Pepper Rogers to leave Kansas before the 1971 season. Rodgers compiled a 19-12-1 record in three seasons at UCLA before leaving for Georgia Tech, his alma mater.
Bringing in head coaches from elsewhere has historically been a winning move for UCLA. Tommy Prothro left Oregon State to go 41-18-3 at UCLA, including winning the 1966 Rose Bowl, before getting the job with the Rams.
Red Sanders left Vanderbilt—his alma mater—to begin a golden era of football at UCLA, leading the Bruins to a 66-19-1 record and participation in the Bruins' only national championship in 1954. One can only imagine how different the trajectory of UCLA football might have been if Sanders had not died of a heart attack before the 1958 season.
Working with an established head coach in Chesney could have the added benefit of providing cover for UCLA athletic director Martin Jarmond after he failed to hire Foster. The Bruins finished the season 3–9 under interim coach Tim Skipper after a 29–10 loss to crosstown rival USC. Jarmond led the search committee, which also included athletic director Casey Wasserman, former Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers, Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters, UCLA executive senior associate athletic director Erin Adkins and former Bruins star linebacker Eric Kendricks.
In a reminder of what's at stake for its long-suffering fans, UCLA is approaching the 40th anniversary of its last Rose Bowl victory over Iowa on Jan. 1, 1986. The Bruins haven't appeared in a Rose Bowl game since 1999, the end of the season in which they won their last conference championship.
If all goes well, a trainer's proven approach could lead to a return to happier days.
