Roberts notched an assist with Chesney hire

Dave Roberts might have just contributed to another monumental steal.

- By BEN BoLCH

UCLA landed what could be the coup of the college football coaching carousel with some assistance from the celebrated Dodgers manager and Boston folk hero whose stolen base in the 2004 playoffs sparked the Red Sox’s run to their first World Series title in nearly a century.

This time, Roberts came out of the advisory bullpen to help his alma mater snag what it hopes is a championship coach in Bob Chesney.

“I just see him as a guy that failure’s not an option,” Roberts told The Times of the coach who has agreed to a five-year, $33.75-million contract. “He’s gonna win. I think I have a pretty good gut and read on people and I couldn’t have more conviction in coach Chesney.”

Though he wasn’t formally a part of UCLA's search committee, Roberts was enlisted to speak with candidates and give his perspective. And it’s a valuable one considering Roberts’ standing as a prominent Bruins alumnus and manager of the two-time defending World Series champions.