Bob Chesney arrives in Los Angeles looking to make the big time. After more than a decade in the lower levels of the sport and two seasons at James Madison, one thing is abundantly clear: this guy is a winner. He has a career .717 winning percentage and will look to continue that trend at one of the most difficult places to win in the Power 4.
UCLA only has three 10-win seasons this century, with the most recent one dating back to the Obama administration. Inspired by Indiana, the Bruins have invested heavily in personnel and a hot-shot coaching prospect to accelerate a return to the top of the conference.
Let’s take a closer look at Chesney’s rebuilding strategy.
Coaching Staff
- Head Coach: Bob Chesney (First season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Dean Kennedy (First season)
- Defensive Coordinator: Colin Hitschler (First season)
2025 Record
- 3-9 (3-6) 13th in the Big Ten
2025 Production Ranks
- Scoring Offense: 125th (17th in the Big Ten)
- Total Offense: 120th (16th in the Big Ten)
- Scoring Defense: 127th (18th in the Big Ten)
- Total Defense: 85th (15th in the Big Ten)
2025 TL;DR Recap
It only took three games into last season for the Bruins to move on from DeShaun Foster. Premature? Foster could argue, but losing by 25 to New Mexico one week after losing to UNLV certainly qualifies as firable. UCLA ripped off three straight wins over Penn State, Michigan State and Maryland two weeks after Foster was fired before ultimately losing their final five games. By December, the Bruins were ready to begin again, this time with a head coach with a similar pre-Power 4 pedigree as Curt Cignetti.
Key Departures
- LB JonJon Vaughns (107 tackles, six tackles for loss, one sack)
- LB Isaiah Chisom (84 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss)
- S Key Lawrence (70 tackles, four tackles for loss, one interception, two forced fumbles)
- WR Kwazi Gilmer (50 receptions, 535 yards, four touchdowns)
- CB Andre Jordan (19 tackles, 10 pass breakups)
Key Returners
- QB Nico Iamaleava (1,928 yards, 64 percent completion percentage, 13 touchdowns, seven interceptions; 505 rushing yards, four rushing touchdowns)
- S Cole Martin (65 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, one interception)
- CB Roderick Pleasant (36 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss)
- Nickel Scooter Jackson (44 tackles, one tackle for loss, two interceptions, one forced fumble)
- C Sam Yoon (20-game starter)
- LG Eugene Brooks (11-game starter)
- LB Jalen Woods (47 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks)
Key Transfer Additions
- RB Wayne Knight (James Madison)
- S Tao Johnson (Utah)
- DE Sahir West (James Madison)
- WR Leland Smith (San Jose State)
- WR Aidan Mizell (Florida)
- LB Sammy Omosigho (Oklahoma)
- TE Josh Phifer (James Madison)
- WR Brian Rowe Jr. (South Carolina)
- OT Jordan Davis (South Alabama)
- DT Maxwell Roy (Ohio State)
Preseason Preview & Record Predictions
Per Athlon:
“Expect the Bruins to be among the nation’s most-improved teams in 2026. UCLA made one of the offseason’s top hires with Bob Chesney arriving on the West Coast after a successful two-year stint at James Madison. Chesney brought a handful of transfers from JMU to help speed up the program’s transition, including running back Wayne Knight, offensive lineman Carter Sweazie, defensive end Sahir West and receiver Landon Ellis. Chesney and new offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy should get the most out of quarterback Nico Iamaleava’s talent. If the offense stumbles in ‘26, it’s likely due to a revamped offensive line. An experienced secondary leads the way on defense, with transfers all over the projected lineup in the trenches and at linebacker. Assuming Chesney and the new staff find the right answers on both lines of scrimmage, a bowl trip in ‘26 should be within reach.”
CBS: 7-5
CFN: 6-6
ESPN FPI: 5.1-6.9
Sports Illustrated: Over 6.5 wins
Maize n Brew Thoughts
Before playing one game this season, UCLA is headed in the right direction. Chesney is a proven winner with a career 132-52 record across four different stops and the school is finally investing in the program. The combination of Chesney, quarterback Nico Iamaleava and running back Wayne Knight automatically make this team a threat to contend for a bowl game this year.
But this is the Big Ten and there is no shortage of difficult games on the schedule for the Bruins. California and San Diego State are a tricky opening pair of games, and the travel to Michigan and Minnesota will make those games as challenging as the West Coast games of USC and Oregon. When UCLA comes to Ann Arbor, it will come as the fourth game in a home-road-home-road stretch for the Bruins before the season finale against USC. For the Wolverines, this is the trap game of all trap games, Senior Day sandwiched between road trips to Eugene and Columbus.
UCLA will hover around .500 and will be a tougher out most weeks. The big time is on the horizon for Chesney in LA, but this year, it’s about the small gains.