Former Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr has taken on a new role as a special advisor to UCLA head coach Bob Chesney, bringing his extensive playing experience and leadership to the Bruins program.
A Legacy Transferred to Westwood
Carr, who spent 11 seasons in the NFL and amassed more than 41,000 passing yards, will mentor young quarterbacks and assist the coaching staff in shaping the next generation of talent at UCLA.
His career highlights include a 2013 season in which he led the nation in passing and earned the Sammy Baugh Trophy, as well as two Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year awards earned at Fresno State, where he also set school records with more than 12,000 passing yards and 110 touchdowns.
Darrick Yray, UCLA’s general manager, has known Carr since their days together at Fresno State from 2008 to 2014, a connection that helped facilitate Carr’s transition into the advisory role.
Building Around a New Quarterback
The Raiders, after a period of quarterback instability that saw seven different starters in the past three seasons, have drafted Fernando Mendoza to serve as the centerpiece of their rebuilding effort. Carr has publicly voiced his support for Mendoza, urging him to chase record‑breaking performances and to inspire the next wave of signal‑callers.
At UCLA, the presence of a figure with Carr’s pedigree is expected to accelerate the development of the Bruins’ own quarterbacks, offering a direct link between collegiate ambition and professional achievement.
The move underscores a broader trend of former NFL players transitioning into mentorship roles within college programs, a shift that could reshape how teams blend experience with emerging talent.