UCLA is working to sign head coach Bob Chesney to a new contract following his rapid impact in his first year, during which he has led the Bruins to a 9-0 start and positioned the team for Big Ten and national championship contention.
Sources indicate UCLA has been in dialogue with Chesney for at least a month. Tim Harris, UCLA's athletic director, leads the negotiations. Harris, a UCLA alumnus who spent three decades with the Lakers before taking his current role, aims to prevent Chesney from becoming a one-and-done coach at a program historically focused on basketball.
Both sides have expressed optimism that an agreement will be reached soon. The discussions follow Wake Forest's recent contract extension for head coach Jake Dickert.
Chesney's career shows consistent success across multiple NCAA divisions. At Division III Salve Regina, he won a conference championship and finished 9-2. He secured two conference titles at Division II Assumption and captured four conference championships at Holy Cross, leading the team to an FCS quarterfinal berth. At James Madison, he won a conference title and guided the program to a College Football Playoff appearance.
His ascent through the coaching ranks contrasts with coaches like Ryan Day or Lincoln Riley, whose initial head-coaching opportunities came at established programs. His path mirrors that of Curt Cignetti in demonstrating consistent winning at every level.
Recent hiring patterns reflect a preference for proven winners. Of 16 Power Four conference jobs that opened in 2025, 11 were filled by coaches with prior head-coaching experience. An additional job at Ole Miss went to Pete Golding, who served as interim coach during the team's College Football Playoff run.
