Nico Iamaleava wanted to stay at UCLA, Chesney says: 'Did not want to go anywhere'

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Even after a rough first season at UCLA and a new coach coming in for Year 2, quarterback Nico Iamaleava had no plans to leave the Bruins.

There was wonder if Iamaleava, who had a highly publicized departure from Tennessee to UCLA in spring 2025, would want a fresh start after the Bruins went 3-9, their worst record since 2018. After the Bruins hired Bob Chesney in December, the No. 1 task Chesney undertook was trying to keep his quarterback. Chesney succeeded as Iamaleava didn't enter the transfer portal.

Chesney was asked at Big Ten media days on Wednesday, July 29 about how he was able to keep the polarizing signal-caller as he enters his first season in Westwood. Turns out, there wasn't much convincing he had to do.

"It started with retaining Nico, obviously, when we got here," he said. "I think for Nico, and he can speak on you know on his own behalf, but I'll you know just to add a little color to it, he did not want to go anywhere. This is where he wanted to be. This is where he wanted to play."

The coach added factors like being from Southern California and his younger brother, Madden, also being on the squad played a role in wanting to stay, which were things Iamaleava had consistently said were reasons he chose to UCLA after a reported name, image and likeness fallout at Tennessee.

With the desire to stay, Chesney said the next phase was making sure he was on the same page with the incoming coaching staff. Now, it's about helping him take that next step in what could be his final season of college football.

"I just love the growth he's had as a leader," Chesney said. "To watch him just grow and run with this and flourish at this moment as the leader, he was unanimously voted the leader of our football team when we did voted our leadership council. He was at the top by a large margin, and that just speaks to the way he carries himself on a day-to-day basis. We're going to need him to be really, really good on Saturdays as well."

Iamaleava threw for 1,928 yards and 13 touchdowns with seven interceptions in 11 games last season, while leading the Bruins in rushing yards (505), carries (112) and rushing touchdowns (4).

UCLA opens the season at California in Week 1 on Saturday, Sept. 5.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nico Iamaleava wanted to stay at UCLA, Chesney says: 'Did not want to go anywhere'

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