UCLA has reached an agreement to hire James Madison head coach Bob Chesney, securing him on a five-year contract and ending a months-long search for new leadership.
Sports Illustrated‘s Bryan Fischer reported Monday that the Bruins have finalized the deal, though the 48-year-old coach will continue guiding the Dukes through their postseason — including Friday’s Sun Belt Championship matchup with Troy and any College Football Playoff appearance (should JMU qualify).
UCLA has been hunting for a permanent coach since dismissing DeShaun Foster in September following an 0–3 start. Interim coach Tim Skipper finished out the schedule, but the Bruins slid to a 3–9 record, extending their struggles since joining the Big Ten. Over two seasons in the conference, UCLA is 8–16 — far behind fellow former Pac-12 members Oregon, Washington and USC, each of which posted winning years.
As one of the first major programs to fire its coach this season, UCLA had time to evaluate the market. Chesney arrives in Westwood after an impressive two-year stretch at James Madison, where he went 20–5 and built an 11–1 regular-season record this fall. JMU made a significant push to keep him — including an offer that would have placed him atop the Sun Belt salary ladder — but the chance to lead a Big Ten program proved more compelling for Chesney.
Over 16 seasons as a head coach, Chesney has amassed a 131–51 career record, reached conference championship games at each stop — Salve Regina, Assumption, Holy Cross and James Madison — and collected multiple coach-of-the-year honors. His first season at JMU included nine wins despite roster turnover after Curt Cignetti’s departure. His second season vaulted the program into contention for the Group of Five’s CFP bid.
Before joining James Madison, Chesney delivered consistent winners at Holy Cross (44–21 with four playoff appearances), Assumption (44–16) and Salve Regina (23–9). His tenure with the Dukes marked his first opportunity at the FBS level, and his rapid success quickly elevated him into the national spotlight. Penn State was among the high-profile programs linked to him during this hiring cycle.
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