A Strategic Addition for the Bruins
Derek Carr, the former Oakland Raiders and New Orleans Saints quarterback, has been appointed to a new role at UCLA, where he will serve as a special advisor to head coach Bob Chesney.
The move marks Carr’s first official post‑retirement position in football after he stepped away from the NFL in May 2025 due to a right shoulder injury, ending speculation about a possible return.
Carr’s 11‑year NFL career, highlighted by his status as the Raiders’ all‑time leader in passing yards, touchdowns and completions, gives him a deep reservoir of experience that UCLA hopes to tap for game‑planning and quarterback mentorship.
Having starred at Fresno State, where he earned two Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year awards and amassed 12,842 passing yards, Carr will work closely with UCLA’s starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava and the program’s offensive staff, including general manager Darrick Yray and offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy.
Coach Chesney emphasized that Carr’s leadership and football IQ will complement the Bruins’ offensive scheme, while Carr himself expressed enthusiasm about giving back to the game and helping shape the next generation of quarterbacks.