UCLA Nears Contract Extension With Unbeaten Football Coach Bob Chesney
UCLA is reportedly finalizing a contract extension with head coach Bob Chesney following a historic 9-0 start to his debut season in Westwood.
💰Business & BettingPhoto: The Athletic
Key points
- UCLA is close to signing head coach Bob Chesney to a contract extension.
- Chesney led the Bruins to a 9-0 start and a No. 4 CFP ranking in his first season.
- Backup quarterback Ty Dieffenbach and running back Wayne Knight have fueled the team's success following injuries.
UCLA head coach Bob Chesney is nearing a contract extension to remain with the program, according to a source speaking to The Athletic. The negotiations come as the Bruins enjoy a remarkable turnaround under Chesney, jumping from a three-win campaign last season to an undefeated 9-0 start and a No. 4 spot in the College Football Playoff committee rankings.
Hired away from James Madison less than a year ago on a five-year, $33.75 million agreement, Chesney has engineered the program's best start since 1998. The team has maintained its momentum despite losing starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava to a season-ending knee injury on October 10, with backup Ty Dieffenbach stepping in to win four consecutive starts. Alongside a defense leading the nation with 27 takeaways, running back Wayne Knight paces the Big Ten with 789 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns.
The dramatic resurgence stands in stark contrast to last year's 3-9 finish, which ended with the dismissal of former coach DeShaun Foster. Chesney, whose extensive collegiate coaching background includes stints at Salve Regina, Assumption, Holy Cross, and James Madison, has brought both offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy and defensive coordinator Colin Hitschler with him to Westwood.
What to watch next: The Bruins host Illinois on Friday in search of their tenth win of the season before closing out the regular season on the road against Michigan on November 21 and hosting rival USC on November 28.
Source The Athletic — nytimes.com/athletic/7779558/2026/11/13/bob-chesney-ucla-contract-e… ↗
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