Emerging College Football Coach Predicted To Land UCLA Job
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Several marquee jobs are open in college football, including the LSU Tigers, Penn State Nittany Lions, Florida Gators, Auburn Tigers and UCLA Bruins.
UCLA fired head coach DeShaun Foster after he started his second season with a record of 0-3. This decision made them one of the first Power Four programs to begin a job search. Since his departure, the Bruins have posted a record of 3-5.
The question is: who will replace Foster as the head coach in Los Angeles? Steve Lassan from Athlon Sports suggests that the Bruins might consider a coach from the Group of Five level, hoping for similar success to what Indiana experienced when it hired Curt Cignetti from James Madison.
“Despite zero experience on the West Coast, Chesney’s name is generating a lot of buzz in regard to UCLA’s search,” Lassan wrote. “The Pennsylvania native is 129-51 overall as a head coach from stints at Salve Regina (2010-12), Assumption (2013-17), Holy Cross (2018-23), and the past two seasons at James Madison. Under Chesney’s direction, the Dukes are 19-5 in that span and remain in the mix to earn a trip to the College Football Playoff as one of the highest-ranked conference champions.”
As Lassan mentioned, Chesney has done a great job everywhere he’s been. He has the Dukes sitting at 10-1, but they aren’t currently ranked in the College Football Playoff rankings, although that could change when the committee releases its newest rankings Tuesday night.
As UCLA evaluates its options, Chesney’s consistent winning record and ability to elevate programs give him clear momentum. With several top jobs open and the postseason approaching, the Bruins’ next move could shape not only their future but the broader coaching carousel as well.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Nov 25, 2025, where it first appeared in the College section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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