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1d ago
UCLA's Bob Chesney: Coal miner, bartender and now Bruins coach
- Chesney was hired as UCLA's new head coach after successful turns at multiple programs, including James Madison, where he guided the team to the College Football Playoff in 2025.
- ESPN frames Chesney as a turnaround artist who has rebuilt programs from Salve Regina to Holy Cross and beyond.
- Chesney's early life and work ethic were shaped in Kulpmont, Pennsylvania, where he mined coal and held other jobs before coaching.
- Chesney stresses the importance of small, foundational elements, like keeping a tidy weight room, as part of building a winning program.
- Chesney credits his coaching path—from Salve Regina to Johns Hopkins—with shaping his approach to leadership and player development.
- Chesney's staff includes long-time colleagues from JMU to maintain continuity as UCLA rebuilds.
- Chesney sees quarterback Nico Iamaleava as central to UCLA's immediate success and leadership going forward.
- Chesney cites his father and family as a foundational influence on his coaching philosophy and life in the profession.
- Chesney described his career progression from Division III to FCS and Division II programs as a deliberate path to learn every facet of coaching.
- Chesney emphasizes a West Coast program rebuild strategy grounded in practical, hard-work lessons from his upbringing.
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