Bob Chesney didn’t just show up in Westwood - he arrived.
The new UCLA head football coach took center stage at Pauley Pavilion during halftime of the Bruins’ basketball game against Indiana, and let’s just say he didn’t hold back. Microphone in hand, just a month into his tenure, Chesney made his intentions crystal clear: he’s not here for mediocrity.
“I did not come here to be average,” he told the crowd. “Understand that we’re about to win a Big Ten championship.”
That’s not subtle. That’s a bold-faced promise in front of a packed house - and a message that’s already rippling through the college football world.
Chesney’s confidence isn’t coming out of nowhere. He arrives at UCLA after leading James Madison to a Sun Belt title and a berth in the College Football Playoff.
That’s not a fluke - that’s a coach who knows how to build a winner and isn’t afraid to say it out loud. But stepping into the Big Ten is a different beast, and not everyone is buying the hype just yet.
The internet, of course, had thoughts. Social media lit up after Chesney’s speech, with fans quick to draw comparisons - and distinctions - between him and his James Madison predecessor, Curt Cignetti.
Cignetti famously made headlines earlier this season with his own fiery guarantees, calling out Big Ten heavyweights by name. Chesney’s speech, while passionate, was seen by some as a lighter version of that same playbook.
But here’s the thing: imitation or not, Chesney’s message was loud and clear. He believes in what he’s building - and he’s bringing backup.
Chesney didn’t come west alone. He brought a core group of trusted assistants from James Madison, the same staff that helped guide the Dukes to postseason success.
Offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy and defensive coordinator Colin Hitschler are now in charge of shaping the Bruins’ identity on both sides of the ball. Chris Smith is taking over the offensive line, Eddie Whitley Jr. is handling the defensive backs, and Drew Canan is overseeing special teams and tight ends.
It’s a tight-knit group with a proven track record, and Chesney didn’t hesitate to hype them up.
During his halftime remarks, he called them “the best staff in the world.” That’s a big claim - but so is promising a Big Ten title.
Chesney clearly isn’t interested in easing into this job. He’s attacking it head-on, with the same energy and belief that turned JMU into a national story.
Now comes the hard part: turning words into wins. The Big Ten is a grind.
It’s physical, it’s deep, and it’s ruthless. Programs like Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State don’t hand out championships - you have to take them.
And for a UCLA program that’s still finding its footing in the conference, the road ahead is steep.
But if you’re a Bruins fan, you’ve got to like the tone Chesney is setting. He’s not promising progress - he’s promising results.
That kind of swagger can be contagious in a locker room. And with a staff that knows how to win together, there’s at least a foundation in place for something real.
The talk? It’s already started.
The walk? That begins when the helmets go on and the schedule gets real.
For now, Bob Chesney has planted his flag in Westwood. Time will tell if it holds.