### UCLA Football Welcomes Bob Chesney: A New Era Begins UCLA has officially appointed Bob Chesney as the new head coach of its football program, aiming to revitalize a team that has struggled in recent years. Chesney, who previously led James Madison University to a remarkable 12-1 record and a Sun Belt Conference championship in 2025, replaces DeShaun Foster, who was dismissed after a disappointing 3-9 season. Athletic director Martin Jarmond expressed confidence in Chesney's ability to restore the Bruins to national prominence, citing his proven track record of success at various collegiate levels, including Division III and FCS [https://uclabruins.com/news/2025/12/9/ucla-football-introduces-bob-chesney, https://apnews.com/article/ucla-bob-chesney-8795bdea4945f4347364a24fb4b5ca11]. ### Structure of the Coaching Transition 1. **Background of the Coaching Change** - Bob Chesney's hiring follows a tumultuous period for UCLA football, which saw the team finish with a 3-9 record under interim coach Tim Skipper after the firing of DeShaun Foster [https://abc7.com/post/ucla-hires-bob-chesney-football-coach-aiming-revive-struggling-program]. - Chesney's successful tenure at James Madison, where he achieved a 21-5 record over two seasons, positions him as a strong candidate to lead UCLA [https://www.latimes.com/sports/ucla/story/2025-12-06/ucla-football-bob-chesney-staff-assistants]. 2. **Chesney's Vision and Goals** - At his introductory press conference, Chesney emphasized the need for UCLA to be "the" school in Los Angeles, indicating a commitment to elevating the program's status [https://kdhnews.com/sports/college/chesney-starts-his-ucla-football-coaching-era-with-energy-inspiration-and-a-promise-to-win/article_0a30c871-912b-55e6-b8e0-630cefbdc8cb.html]. - He aims to instill a competitive spirit and a winning culture within the team, drawing from his experiences at previous coaching stops [https://www.ocregister.com/2025/12/08/meet-bob-chesney-ucla-footballs-new-ultimate-type-of-competitor]. 3. **Immediate Challenges and Opportunities** - Chesney will continue to coach James Madison in their upcoming College Football Playoff game before fully transitioning to UCLA [https://underdogdynasty.com/sun-belt-conference/41267/james-madison-head-coach-bob-chesney-off-to-ucla-billy-napier-tabbed-successor]. - The Bruins are looking to bounce back from a disappointing season and improve their standing in the competitive Big Ten conference [https://www.nbcsports.com/college-football/news/ucla-hires-bob-chesney-as-football-coach-aiming-to-revive-struggling-program]. ### Evidence of Success and Future Prospects - **Chesney's Track Record** - At James Madison, Chesney led the team to a **12-1** record and a **Sun Belt Championship**, showcasing his ability to build a winning program [https://cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/ucla-bob-chesney-head-football-coach]. - His previous success at Holy Cross, where he won five consecutive Patriot League Championships, further underscores his capability as a coach [https://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/ucla_announces_bob_chesney_as_football_coach_cites_vision_of_success/s1_17047_43168936]. - **UCLA's Recent Performance** - The Bruins finished the 2025 season with a **3-9** record, including a significant loss to rival USC, highlighting the need for a turnaround [https://kdhnews.com/sports/college/chesney-starts-his-ucla-football-coaching-era-with-energy-inspiration-and-a-promise-to-win/article_0a30c871-912b-55e6-b8e0-630cefbdc8cb.html]. ### Conclusion: A Promising Future for UCLA Football In summary, **Bob Chesney's appointment as UCLA's head football coach marks a pivotal moment for the program**. His proven success at James Madison and his clear vision for the future provide a hopeful outlook for Bruins fans. The transition from a struggling season to a new era of competitiveness is underway, with Chesney poised to lead the charge. 1. **Chesney's Background**: Successful tenure at James Madison with a 12-1 record. 2. **Vision for UCLA**: Aiming to establish UCLA as the premier football program in Los Angeles. 3. **Immediate Goals**: Focus on rebuilding the team and improving performance in the Big Ten. With these elements in place, UCLA football fans can look forward to a revitalized program under Chesney's leadership [https://uclabruins.com/news/2025/12/9/ucla-football-introduces-bob-chesney].