Bob Chesney took over a UCLA Bruins program that was in need of some fixing. UCLA has yet to make a mark in the Big Ten Conference after joining the Big Ten in 2024, giving Chesney and the 2026 Bruins team a chance to turn some heads this season.
Chesney is trying to create a more familial bond within the program, hoping that a close-knit UCLA team will lead to better results on Saturdays moving forward for the team. Chesney met with Barstool Sports’ Mike Katic about where his philosophy on building a team came from.
“My father was my high school football coach. My uncle was our wide receivers coach. My grandfather was our O-line coach,” Chesney said. “When you say family, and this idea of family, which a lot of people say, it was literally my actual family that was coaching. My grandmother would be at the games.”
Chesney said that went away during his college days, which made him realize how special it was. So when he became a head coach, Chesney did what he could to replicate that feeling of family within the team.
“I know what it takes and I know what I want it to feel like,” Chesney said. “That was a big thing. I wanted to be inspirational. I wanted kids to love it. I wanted them to get to go to practice, and not have to go to practice.”
Since joining the Bruins, Chesney has gotten the buy-in he’s been seeking but only time will tell if that connection will help UCLA win games this fall, with the program seeking their first winning season since Chip Kelly-led 2023 Bruins team.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Bob Chesney wants the UCLA football program to have a family feel
Reporting by Dylan McNeill, UCLA Wire / UCLA Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
