Bob Chesney gets compared to Pete Carroll from a former USC Trojan
TL;DR
Bob Chesney, recently hired by UCLA, is being compared to Pete Carroll due to his impressive coaching record at James Madison. Despite not yet winning a game with UCLA, he is building excitement with a strong recruiting class.
Key points
- Bob Chesney is the new head coach for UCLA Bruins.
- He previously coached the James Madison Dukes to a notable season.
- Chesney is compared to Pete Carroll by a Rivals reporter.
- UCLA's offseason has generated significant excitement.
- Chesney is building a top-five recruiting class for 2027.
Mentioned in this story
For now, Bob Chesney is not a household name, but his work with Holy Cross and James Madison made him one of the more tantalizing head coaches on the market this offseason. If his first five months on the job for the UCLA Bruins is any indication, then Chesney could be on his way to building a legacy.
Chesney led the James Madison Dukes to a 12-2 record and College Football Playoff appearance, the first in school history. UCLA lured Chesney to Westwood, with Chesney bringing over a large portion of his coaching staff and several players to the Bruins.
Even though Chesney is yet to win a game with UCLA, itâs easy to see that Chesney is the real deal. UCLAâs offseason has been full of excitement, and now Chesney is putting together a top-five 2027 recruiting class.
The excitement for Chesney is only growing with his time in Westwood. Rivals reporter Greg Biggins heard Chesney get compared to another notable Southern California college football coach.
âI talked to Travon Patterson yesterday on my drive home from a tournament I was at in San Diego,â Biggins said. âHe played at USC under Pete Carroll. Heâs been to two UCLA practices and he said âDude, this guy reminds me of Pete Carroll. The way that UCLA practices are set up with the energy, and the vibe, and the radio, the music pumping.â He goes âItâs like our old USC practices.ââ
Carroll might not be a favorite at UCLA but the results were impressive, even if it came with some scandals. If UCLA can replicate that level of success, without any worries about cheating, itâll be the best spot UCLA football has been in this century.
âI think Chesney also hired a really good, young staff that gets after it from a recruiting standpoint,â Biggins said. âThey have to be doing a good job with NIL, and that was always my question.â
USC won two national championships under Carroll, going 97-19 with the Trojans. If Chesney can be that caliber of coach, then the Bruins are in a great spot moving forward.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Bob Chesney gets compared to Pete Carroll from a former USC Trojan
Q&A
What are Bob Chesney's achievements before joining UCLA?
Bob Chesney led the James Madison Dukes to a 12-2 record and their first College Football Playoff appearance.
How is Bob Chesney's coaching style similar to Pete Carroll's?
Chesney has been compared to Pete Carroll for his ability to build excitement and a strong program, though specific coaching styles were not detailed.
What recruiting class is Bob Chesney currently assembling at UCLA?
Chesney is putting together a top-five recruiting class for 2027 at UCLA.
