Not only has Cori Close reloaded the UCLA Bruins roster in the transfer portal this offseason following the program’s first-ever NCAA title last month, she’s also made time for a side-quest at the Rose Bowl.
Close joined new UCLA head coach Bob Chesney as a coach for UCLA’s Spring Game on Saturday. Ever since Chesney arrived at UCLA, Close has applauded his leadership abilities, so her joining the football team for their Spring Game didn’t come as a total surprise. Along with Coach Close, UCLA’s women’s water polo head coach Adam Wright helped coach the scrimmage in the second half.
Ultimately Wright’s team came out on top with a 24-17 win. As to be expected, Close came into the event without football coaching experience, but that lack of experience is alright when you have Sean McVay’s phone number. Close called up the Los Angeles Rams’ head coach for some playcalling advice for Saturday’s scrimmage.
“That was really Coach Wright and Coach Close though that came up with some of those plays,” Chesney said of the exciting play calls in the Spring Game. “They sent in two or three trick plays. I think Coach Close even called Coach McVay to help with some of the plays she wanted to run. She was reading me the texts he sent and we put some of those plays in.”
Close has helped build UCLA women’s program from competitor to juggernaut during her time in Westwood and now Chesney is looking to do the same thing but on the gridiron. In Close’s early years, she leaned on John Wooden for coaching advice. While she doesn’t have the championships to match Wooden yet, she can provide that support for Chesney.
“It was a ton of fun. For her to put on a headset and feel what it feels like with all those guys around, the thing that goes on,” Chesney said of Close. “Having a behind-the-scenes look is something I would love to do at some point with the basketball team.”
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Cori Close makes her football coaching debut at UCLA’s Spring Game
Reporting by Dylan McNeill, UCLA Wire / UCLA Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
