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The UCLA Bruins haven’t had a double-digit win season on the gridiron since Jim Mora was the head coach way back in 2014.
In fact, those Mora days probably look good now for UCLA fans, despite the fact that he went 9-14 in his final two seasons before being fired. Mora led UCLA to two straight 10-3 seasons in 2013 and 2014, respectively.
Since Mora, both Chip Kelly and Deshaun Foster have tried and failed at UCLA. The Bruins were 3-9 last season, and life has seemingly gotten harder for them now that they’re in the Big Ten.
The Ohio State Buckeyes, Oregon Ducks, and heck, even now the Indiana Hoosiers, look to be light-years ahead of UCLA in many ways. That’s not even to mention the USC Trojans, who have championship aspirations.
And yet, new head coach Bob Chesney believes he can turn things around for UCLA, and that belief has translated to early recruiting success.
The Bruins currently have a 2027 class that’s ranked No. 17 in the nation, and recruits are talking.
“It’s the new coaching staff,” four-star receiver Hayden Koo told Adam Gorney of Rivals regarding the buzz at UCLA. “They bring a whole new energy to the place. It’s for sure changed. The coaching staff is just fired up for this season to bring back UCLA football. It’s great to hear from a lot of them.”
Bob Chesney creating hype for UCLA Bruins on recruiting trail
Koo isn’t even committed to UCLA, so that’s a strong quote in favor of what Chesney and the Bruins are doing right now.
Speaking of Chesney, 48, he’s the centerpiece. UCLA hired him after he went 21-6 in two seasons at James Madison University while leading the Dukes to the College Football Playoff last season.
The winners of the Sun Belt last season, Chesney’s Dukes lost to Oregon in the CFP, but they gave the Ducks a fight. It was a 51-34 Oregon win at Autzen, but Chesney had made his mark on the college football world.
“The head coach at UCLA is a proven winner,” 4-star offensive lineman Elisha Mueller told Rivals. “He’s done it at every level. He took JMU to the College Football Playoff. That says something. I didn’t know what JMU was until they made the playoffs, no disrespect. The proof is in the pudding that he’s a great coach.”
Chesney is going to have to prove he can consistently win at UCLA in the stacked Big Ten, but if he continues to recruit at a high level and uses the transfer portal well — that can absolutely be a reality.
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