The UCLA Bruins, after parting ways with DeShaun Foster earlier in the 2025 season, have secured the services of Bob Chesney from James Madison to be their head coach, along with a reported salary increase.
According to reports, UCLA is prepared to offer Chesney a contract worth between $6 million and $7 million annually. This is a massive increase from Chesney’s James Madison salary of $833,495 for the 2025 season, almost eight times what he was earning at Madison.
Sources: James Madison coach Bob Chesney has emerged as the target of UCLA’s coaching search. He’s set to sign a 5-year deal with UCLA that will emerge after James Madison’s Sun Belt championship game. UCLA has agreed for him to coach in the CFP, if JMU makes it. pic.twitter.com/PLznBJoY5r
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 1, 2025
The former James Madison Dukes’ coach had a contract running through 2028, which means that UCLA will need to pay the Dukes $1.25 million to buy out Chesney. Additionally, a $140,000 retention bonus that was a part of Chesney’s contract stands null and void after his departure.
Chesney’s 11-1 Season Helps JMU Reach Group of Five Playoffs
Chesney has compiled an impressive 131-51 record across his career, winning four conference championships along the way. He’s also helped all the programs he’s coached reach conference championship games, which include Division III at Salve Regina, Division II at Assumption, FCS at Holy Cross, and, most recently, FBS at James Madison.
After Curt Cignetti left James Madison for Indiana and took several key players with him, his transition to the FBS level has been impressive. Chesney was tasked with keeping the JMU program afloat, and he did well by winning nine games in his first season.
This season, James Madison has helped JMU post an 11-1 record, helping the Dukes automatically compete in the Group of Five’s College Football Playoff.
New UCLA head coach Bob Chesney had the highest graded offensive and defensive line in the sun belt this season according to @PFSNcollege 🐻
HOMERUN HIRE. pic.twitter.com/XMHfhYJPAz
— 🐻 (@HOODIRUSS) December 1, 2025
Reports also suggest that Penn State was in the race to hire Chesney to fill in the void created by former head coach James Franklin’s firing earlier in the season, but it’s all put to rest now with UCLA’s hiring.
UCLA, after finishing 12th in the Big Ten, would want to put their abysmal 2025 record of 3-9 as a thing of the past now with Chesney taking over the reins as the new head coach.
Also Read:
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- “Haven’t Been Challenged This Year”: Indiana HC Curt Cignetti Scoffs At OSU’s Schedule Ahead of Big Ten Championship Showdown
- 9 New Football Coaches Announced As Lane Kiffin’s LSU Move Kickstarts Yet Another Whirlwind Coaching Carousel Feat. Florida
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