Joel Klatt Praises UCLA, Direction of Program After Bob Chesney Hire

FOX Sports analyst sees improvements for Bruins under new head coach

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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FOX Sports analyst Joel Klatt had high praise for UCLA and the direction of the program after the school hired Bob Chesney as its new head coach. Klatt believes Chesney, who led James Madison to the College Football Playoff last year, is the right man to turn around the Bruins, who are coming off a 3-9 season in 2025. Klatt is particularly high on UCLA's returning quarterback Nico Iamaleava and the talent Chesney has brought in through the transfer portal.

Why it matters

UCLA has struggled in recent years, going just 3-9 in 2025. The hiring of Chesney, who has a track record of success, is seen as a positive step in the right direction for the program. Klatt's praise of the direction under Chesney's leadership provides optimism that the Bruins could be on the verge of a turnaround.

The details

Chesney is tasked with taking over a UCLA team that went just 3-9 last season. He's bringing in a bevy of talent from the NCAA transfer portal, including 10 players who followed him from James Madison. Klatt is particularly high on returning quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who had nearly 2,000 passing yards and 505 rushing yards last season. While Iamaleava's individual production didn't translate to wins, Klatt believes Chesney can surround him with better players to help the Bruins improve.

  • UCLA went 3-9 in the 2025 season.
  • Chesney was hired as UCLA's new head coach in 2026.

The players

Bob Chesney

The new head coach of the UCLA Bruins, tasked with turning around a team that went 3-9 in 2025. Chesney previously led James Madison to the College Football Playoff.

Nico Iamaleava

UCLA's returning starting quarterback, who had nearly 2,000 passing yards and 505 rushing yards in 2025.

Joel Klatt

A FOX Sports analyst who has high praise for the direction of the UCLA program under new head coach Bob Chesney.

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What they’re saying

“I think UCLA is clearly pointing in the right direction and pointing up. Bob Chesney is a very good football coach.”

— Joel Klatt, FOX Sports Analyst (on3.com)

“The fact remains, (UCLA) was not a good football team except for him. And he was the one that would give them a chance his ability to run it. And now you surround him with some better players … trend up for the Bruins. I think UCLA is going to have a decent year next year.”

— Joel Klatt, FOX Sports Analyst (on3.com)

What’s next

The Bruins open their 2026 season against California in Berkeley on Sept. 5. The matchup will feature two first-year head coaches as the Golden Bears also have a new leader in former Oregon DC Tosh Lupoi.

The takeaway

Klatt's praise of the direction of the UCLA program under new head coach Bob Chesney provides optimism that the Bruins could be on the verge of a turnaround after a disappointing 3-9 season in 2025. Chesney's ability to bring in talent from the transfer portal, combined with the return of quarterback Nico Iamaleava, has Klatt believing UCLA is headed in the right direction.