Bob Chesney is balancing a lot these days. In just a few days he will be leading James Madison as they take on Oregon in the College Football Playoff. Today though UCLA introduced Chesney as their next head coach.
Standing at a podium in Westwood, the 16-year head coaching veteran looked every bit the part of someone who’s rebuilt programs before. This time, he’s inheriting a UCLA football team that’s been stuck in mediocrity while every other sport on campus collects championships.
Championship Expectations From Day One
Chancellor Julio Frank didn’t mince words about what they expect from Chesney, who brings eight conference titles and a knack for turning around struggling programs. The administration made it clear – they want someone who can compete for championships, not just participate.
“We don’t need to be the other school in this town. We need to be the school in this town. And I promise that will happen here in the very, very near future.”
Athletic Director Martin Jarmond praised the search committee’s unanimous decision, calling Chesney “a force of nature” who impressed everyone with his detailed approach to program building. The committee included heavy hitters like Casey Wasserman, Bob Myers, and Eric Kendricks – people who won’t accept failure.
Competition Breeds Success
Chesney’s philosophy centers around one word: competition. Everything in his programs has winners and losers daily. No coasting allowed.
His track record speaks volumes. At James Madison, he inherited a roster with just a center, guard, and punter returning, then led them to their first bowl victory ever. Despite massive roster turnover through the transfer portal – over 60 players in one year alone – JMU now sits in the 12-team College Football Playoff.
The challenge at UCLA is different. This is a program with every advantage imaginable – elite academics, perfect weather, the nation’s second-largest media market, and an alumni network that includes Hollywood power players. Yet they haven’t leveraged those advantages into sustained success.
The West Coast Learning Curve
Chesney acknowledged he needs to adapt quickly to West Coast recruiting, promising to hire coaches with deep regional ties and open UCLA’s doors through free clinics and accessible practices. He wants high school coaches to know exactly what they’re getting when they send players to Westwood.
The immediate challenge? Managing two teams simultaneously. While Chesney prepares JMU for their playoff run, he’s already thinking about roster construction at UCLA through the transfer portal chaos.
What’s Next: All eyes turn to how quickly Chesney can assemble his staff and hit the recruiting trail. With spring practice just months away and the transfer portal churning, there’s zero time to waste. UCLA fans better buckle up – this rebuild starts immediately, playoff duties or not.
