Bob Chesney was an electric hire by the UCLA Bruins

Bob Chesney was a top tier hire by the UCLA Bruins. He is set to bring positive energy to the school and a winning mindset. UCLA has gone 8-16 over the last two seasons and needed a full reset. They hired one of the best coaches that was available and one that will change the defense. As Chesney took James Madison University into a top 10 overall defense. While being top five in some metrics. Showing he knows defense and what needs to be fixed.

There are going to be doubters that say the competition level is not as high in the Sun Belt. That can be considered true, but you also are not going to have access to the cream of the crop there. He has done an excellent job in finding gems and crafting out roles for them to succeed. Now going to UCLA with a lot more resources and a bigger landscape. The hope is that he will be equipped with NIL resources to help build the vision that he wants. It’s a sad reality but that is how the college game works now. What NIL is available for the top names?

Chesney will need to come in and shore up the defensive line. As the Bruins were one of the worst in the nation at pressure and sack percentage. This led to them not creating turnovers and their defensive backs having to cover for far too long. The famous saying goes “if you win the turnover battle, you should win the game”. Turnovers can change the course of so much. Field position, easy touchdown, momentum, they are imperative to have and be in the plus side of them. Chesney will change that, he has shown it and Bruin fans have every right to be pumped up about it.

There has to be belief that some James Madison players could come over with Chesney. That would be huge for this defense as they have some really good players. Sahir West would be a tremendous addition. UCLA players have already begun thinking about the future of that as they have hit the transfer portal, such as Scooter Jackson. Change is scary, but for a team that was 3-9 last season, change is good. It will be needed to change the course of UCLA football to start winning double digit games again.