UCLA Bruins Hire New Coach to Boost Performance

The UCLA Bruins have had a miserable two seasons in the Big Ten, but with the hiring of new head coach Bob Chesney, things are starting to look up for the team. The Bruins hit rock bottom last season with a 3-9 record, despite bringing in star transfer quarterback Nico Iamaleava. Former head coach DeShaun Foster was fired amidst the horrible season, and the team quickly found themselves searching for a new head coach. Bob Chesney, who broke out into national stardom as the head coach at James Madison, was chosen to replace Foster. Chesney has experience elevating smaller programs to new heights, and his work at JMU was some of his finest. The Dukes went 21-6 in his two seasons at the helm, and reached their first College Football Playoff appearance after a 12-2 season in 2025, including a Sun Belt title. ESPN's Bill Connelly is a believer in the Bruins for the 2026 season, citing Chesney's previous success at essentially every stop in his coaching career. Connelly has the Bruins placed in a tier of Big Ten teams that can compete for the conference crown, and a spot in the College Football Playoff if the right pieces fall into place. Chesney's presence as the team's newest head coach has much to do with this ranking. The Bruins need a lot to go their way in 2026, but the expectations are certainly greater than they have been in any of the last few seasons. With Chesney at the helm, the team is looking to turn their season around and make a push for the conference title. The hiring of Chesney is a significant move for the Bruins, and it will be interesting to see how the team performs in the upcoming season. The Bruins have a lot of work to do, but with Chesney's leadership and Iamaleava's talent, they are looking to make a comeback in the 2026 season.