UCLA calls audible, taps Chesney as its next coach

Bruins are set to hire rising leader from James Madison in big shift for the program.

- BY BEN BOLCH

Operating out of a different playbook than it used nearly two years ago, when it made a vastly underwhelming hire, UCLA has snagged one of the most promising football coaches on the market.

Ending a pursuit that had become increasingly hard to keep quiet in recent weeks, the Bruins are set to hire James Madison coach Bob Chesney on a five-year contract in a move first reported by ESPN's Pete Thamel. As part of the arrangement, Chesney is expected to remain with his current team through a possible College Football Playoff appearance with the Dukes.

The move represents a dramatic shift for a program in desperate need of a turnaround, the Bruins going with an up-and-coming coach who has won big everywhere he's been as part of his own storybook rise. UCLA athletic department officials would not confirm the imminent hire that's expected to be announced after James Madison plays Troy in the Sun Belt Conference championship game on Friday.

After massive success at the Division III, Division II, Football Championship Subdivision and Football Bowl Subdivision levels, Chesney now takes on his greatest challenge — reviving a Big Ten team that hasn't achieved anything of national significance in more than a quarter of a century.

Winning at the Power Four level is the only hole in Chesney's résumé. Hugely successful stints at small college programs Salve Regina and Assumption led Chesney to Holy Cross, where he guided the Crusaders to five consecutive Patriot League championships and four appearances in the FCS playoffs, including their first trip to the quarterfinals in 40 years.

The joyride picked up momentum when Chesney replaced Curt Cignetti at James Madison. After a debut 2024 season in which his team went 9-4, Chesney has guided the Dukes to a 11-1 record this season while going unbeaten in the Sun Belt, putting them in contention for a College Football Playoff bid.