New UCLA head coach Bob Chesney leaves no doubt how he feels about former Tennessee Vols QB Nico Iamaleava
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Former Tennessee Vols quarterback Nico Iamaleava didn’t waste much time before re-signing with the UCLA Bruins for the 2026 season.
Iamaleava, who transferred to UCLA after spending the first two seasons of his college career with the Vols, re-signed with the Bruins 10 days before the transfer portal opened.
After playing for DeShaun Foster and interim head coach Tim Skipper in 2025(Foster was fired after the third game of the season), Iamaleava will play for a new head coach in 2026.
UCLA hired James Madison head coach Bob Chesney as the program’s new head coach on December 6.
Bob Chesney leaves no doubt how he feels about Nico Iamaleava
Chesney spoke to ESPN this week for a lengthy interview and he made it quite clear how he feels about Iamaleava.
“I thought he did a really good job last year,” said Chesney when asked about Iamaleava. “The one game that stands out is that Penn State game. He almost single-handedly took that game over, not only by his ability to throw and get the ball out quickly, but with his legs. Then he battled a little bit of injury. So I think he’s the most important part of this, like any program, on the front end of it. And his ability to help us now on the recruiting side is also a big deal as we move forward here. So to have him on board, I think is a big deal.
“He’s been calm, confident and poised,” continued Chesney. “I believe that will translate to the field. I don’t see his heart rate get too high. I don’t see it get too low. I think he does a really good job of keeping himself even-keeled, trusting himself. And he’s a smart football player. He’s very capable, and he needs to be a leader. And I’m excited for him to get a chance to do that.”
UCLA’s win over Penn State was labeled by On3 last week as the biggest upset of the 2025 college football season.
Iamaleava’s talent is undeniable, but the situation at UCLA wasn’t exactly ripe for success last season.
It’ll still be an uphill battle for the Bruins in 2026 — the Big 10 is no joke — but Iamaleava should be in a better position for success with UCLA hitting the reset button this offseason.
And most importantly, Iamaleava has the full support of his head coach.
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This story was originally published by A to Z Sports on Jan 26, 2026, where it first appeared in the Nashville section. Add A to Z Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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