It happened fast. One minute, UCLA fans were bracing for a long, grueling transition into the Big Ten under a program legend, and the next, the rug was pulled out. DeShaun Foster is gone. In his place stands Bob Chesney, a man whose resume looks nothing like the "Hollywood" hires UCLA usually gravitates toward.
Honestly, the hire feels like a glitch in the Matrix for a school that usually loves its own history. But maybe that’s exactly what the Bruins needed.
The reality is that being the ucla head coach football in 2026 is a nightmare job compared to a decade ago. You aren't just playing local rivals and flying to Arizona. You’re flying to Piscataway, New Jersey, and State College, Pennsylvania. You’re dealing with a donor base that expects Rose Bowls but hasn't seen one since the Clinton administration. It’s a lot.
The Shocking Exit of DeShaun Foster
Let’s be real for a second. Nobody expected Foster to be fired three games into the 2025 season. He was a Bruin for life. He was the guy who scored that iconic touchdown in the Super Bowl and rushed for 301 yards against Washington.
But the 0-3 start to 2025 was the final straw. It wasn't just the losses; it was how they looked. Losing 35-10 to New Mexico at home? That’s a "pack your bags" kind of score. Athletic Director Martin Jarmond realized the ship wasn't just drifting—it was sinking. Foster ended his tenure with a 5-10 record, making it the shortest full-time coaching stint in the history of the program.
It was a tough pill to swallow for the fans who grew up watching #26 run over defenders. But college football is a business, and the Big Ten is a shark tank.
Enter Bob Chesney: The Winner UCLA Didn't Know It Needed
When the news broke in December 2025 that James Madison’s Bob Chesney was the guy, the reaction was… mixed. Some fans asked, "Who?" Others, the ones who follow the "coaching ladder" closely, knew exactly what was happening.
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Chesney is a winner. Period.
He didn't take the traditional path. He wasn't a graduate assistant at Alabama or a coordinator at Ohio State. He won at Salve Regina (D-III). Then he won at Assumption (D-II). Then he built a powerhouse at Holy Cross (FCS) before taking James Madison to the College Football Playoff in his second year there.
Why this hire is different
UCLA hasn't hired a sitting head coach since Pepper Rodgers back in 1971. Think about that. Every coach from Terry Donahue to Chip Kelly was either an assistant, an NFL castoff, or someone currently out of a job. By prying Chesney away from JMU, UCLA signaled they are finally ready to pay for a proven commodity.
Chesney brings a career record of 132-51. That is a 72% winning percentage. He’s won eight conference championships. He’s a program builder who doesn't rely on "star power" to get things done. He relies on discipline and a very specific type of toughness that the Bruins have lacked for, well, a long time.
The 2026 Staff: Bringing the "JMU Connection" West
Chesney didn't come alone. He basically moved the entire James Madison brain trust to Westwood. On January 2, 2026, he officially announced his staff, and it looks a lot like the one that just terrorized the Sun Belt.
Dean Kennedy is the new offensive coordinator. He’s the guy who orchestrated a top-tier offense at JMU and is now tasked with making sure quarterback Nico Iamaleava—who shockingly decided to return for 2026 instead of hitting the NFL Draft—actually lives up to that five-star hype.
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Then you have Colin Hitschler as the defensive coordinator. Hitschler’s units are known for being aggressive and, frankly, annoying to play against. If UCLA wants to survive November games in the Midwest, they need a defense that hits harder than a mid-winter blizzard.
They did keep some continuity, though. AJ Steward is staying on as the running backs coach. Gabe Lynn is also sticking around to coach the nickels. It’s a smart mix. You need guys who know the local recruiting trails in SoCal, but you need the "Chesney System" to be the backbone.
What Most People Get Wrong About UCLA Football
There’s this weird myth that UCLA is a "soft" program. People see the beach, the Rose Bowl, and the sunshine and think the team just wants to look good in NIL deals.
But if you look at the eras where UCLA was actually great—the Donahue years—it was built on a punishing run game and a defense that would take your head off. Chesney’s whole philosophy is "building champions in all aspects." He’s a developer. He’s the guy who takes the three-star kid from a small town and turns him into an All-American.
He’s already doing it. He brought in players from the portal who fit his mold: tough, high-IQ, and hungry. He’s not just looking for the highest-rated recruits; he’s looking for the guys who won't quit when it’s 20 degrees in Ann Arbor.
The Big Ten Reality Check
Let's not sugarcoat it. The schedule is brutal. The 2026 slate includes heavyweights that haven't traditionally been on the Bruins' radar every single year.
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To survive, Chesney has to fix the offensive line. Under Chip Kelly and then Foster, the line was often a revolving door. You cannot win in the Big Ten without a "wall" up front. Chesney brought Chris Smith from JMU to handle the O-line, and that might be the most important hire on the whole staff.
If they can’t protect Iamaleava, it doesn’t matter how many championships Chesney won in the FCS.
Recruiting in the NIL Era
UCLA’s NIL collective, "Men of Westwood," has had to step up. The Big Ten isn't just a football conference; it’s an arms race. Chesney has shown a surprising ability to adapt to this. He’s already secured some key defensive transfers from the East Coast who wanted to follow him.
But the real test is whether he can keep the local talent from leaving for Oregon or USC. Southern California is the most fertile recruiting ground in the country, and for years, UCLA has let other schools pick it clean.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
If you're a Bruin fan or just a college football junkie watching this transition, here is what you need to look for to see if the Chesney era is actually working:
- Watch the Third Quarter: Chesney’s teams at Holy Cross and JMU were known for being "second-half teams." If UCLA is conditioned better and adjustments are being made at halftime, that’s the first sign of a coaching upgrade.
- The Run/Pass Balance: With Dean Kennedy calling plays, expect a more modern, fast-paced attack that still respects the run. If the Bruins are averaging over 4.5 yards per carry in Big Ten play, they’re in business.
- Turnover Margin: Chesney’s philosophy revolves around winning the "hidden yards." Watch for a drop in penalties and an increase in takeaways.
- Home Attendance: Keep an eye on the Rose Bowl. If the fans see a product that actually fights, the "Sea of Blue" might finally return.
The hiring of a new ucla head coach football is always a gamble. But for the first time in decades, UCLA didn't hire a name. They hired a winner. Whether that translates from Harrisonburg, Virginia, to Pasadena, California, is the biggest story in the Big Ten this year.
Don't expect a 12-0 season right away. That’s fairy tale stuff. But expect a team that finally knows its identity. Bob Chesney isn't here to be a celebrity; he’s here to win football games. And for UCLA, that’s a refreshing change of pace.