UCLA looks set to move into a new era of Bruins football with Bob Chesney leading the way. The current head coach of James Madison University informed his team Monday of his intent. The deal will become official after the Sun Belt Championship game in which James Madison will play Troy. If they get selected to compete in the College Football Playoff, UCLA will allow him to coach in that. Giving him the opportunity to cap off a great year for the university. Chesney has been a tremendous coach for them and will now bring his talents to Southern California.
Sources: James Madison coach Bob Chesney has emerged as the target of UCLA’s coaching search. He’s set to sign a 5-year deal with UCLA that will emerge after James Madison’s Sun Belt championship game. UCLA has agreed for him to coach in the CFP, if JMU makes it. pic.twitter.com/PLznBJoY5r
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 1, 2025
He has his work cut out for him. As UCLA is now 8-16 over the last two years and have not had a great start to their Big Ten era. Chesney is a program builder; he knows how to bring teams back who have struggled. He is 131-51 in his coaching career that has included Division III, II, FBS and FCS. With some of his best work coming at Holy Cross and then at his current position at James Madison where he is 11-1 this year and ranked number 19 in the nation. His resume includes coaching defense and special teams, which are two areas UCLA needs to improve upon. Now they have a sharp mind to do just that.
Bob Chesney has won BIG at every level:
— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) December 1, 2025
• Salve Regina (2010-12, D3) - 23-9
• Assumption (2013-17, D2) - 44-16
• Holy Cross (2018-23, FCS) - 44-21
• JMU (2024-25, FBS) - 20-5
That’s a combined .720 win pct, with 7 (probably soon 8) Conf 🏆 mixed in.
Proven winner. pic.twitter.com/yKo2dHdxXj
James Madison was dynamic this year and UCLA has every reason to be excited about the hire. The Dukes finished ninth in the nation averaging 37.2 points per game while being 10th on defense only giving up 16.5 points per game. The James Madison defense was very good against the run and pass. Most importantly being able to be 26th in sack %. Something UCLA struggled with, which led to a lot of third down conversions and bottom five in the nation in interceptions. The talent level in California is excellent and now they have a guy that defensive players will want to play for.
UCLA has hired James Madison’s Bob Chesney as their next Head Coach🐻
— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 1, 2025
JMU’s Defensive Ranks Under Chesney:
2024: 89.4 (19th)
2025: 94.4 (3rd) pic.twitter.com/4FXZzLsaKZ
We spoke on how whoever comes in for UCLA will need to fix the trenches. As the offensive and defensive lines did not perform this past season. There is hope that will get solved with a new staff. Dominoes will also start to fall, will players transfer with Chesney? What about some of his coaching staff? There is set to be a lot of change upcoming. But this is a very exciting time for UCLA football. They were able to get an up and coming coach. Right before recruits come in, and now they are ready to roll and get the program back to winning ways.