UCLA’s football program has endured a turbulent stretch, posting an 8‑16 record over the past two seasons in the Big Ten and finishing the 2025 campaign with a 3‑9 mark that left them near the bottom of the conference.
A New Era in Westwood
The disappointment led the administration to part ways with head coach DeShaun Foster midway through the season, clearing the way for a fresh direction.
Enter Bob Chesney, the architect of James Madison’s surprise run to the College Football Playoff in 2025. The former JMU head coach was hired to reshape the Bruins’ culture and inject a winning mindset.
Chesney arrives with a cache of talent from his previous squad, most notably running back Wayne Knight, and he will also benefit from the return of quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who decided to stay for a fifth year.
Early forecasts for the 2026 season are modest but optimistic. Analysts project a 6‑6 overall record, with expected victories over Purdue, Maryland, San Diego State, Illinois, Wisconsin and Nevada, while the schedule also includes tough road tests against Michigan State, Cal, Oregon, Michigan, USC and Minnesota.
A bowl game appearance looks within reach, marking the Bruins’ first postseason berth since the 2023 season, a milestone that could signal a turning point for the program.
While a national championship remains a distant goal, the combination of experienced leadership, key transfers and a more favorable win total suggests that UCLA could finally break out of its recent slump and restore its place among the conference’s contenders.