UCLA Reportedly to Hire James Madison's Bob Chesney, Latest on HC's Contract

UCLA is working toward an agreement with James Madison head coach Bob Chesney, according to multiple reports.

ESPN's Pete Thamel reported he's expected to sign a five-year contract.

Chesney replaced Curt Cignetti ahead of the 2024 season. In two years with the Dukes, he posted a 20-5 record, and they could potentially earn a College Football Playoff berth if they beat Troy in the Sun Belt title game.

Per Thamel, Chesney would lead JMU in the playoff should the team qualify.

Much like Cignetti, the 48-year-old doesn't boast a decorated coaching resume but has consistently won games prior to getting his first crack at a Power Four gig. He's 131-51 in 16 years as a head coach, having previously worked at Division III Salve Regina, Division II Assumption and Holy Cross before arriving at James Madison.

Chesney will inherit a difficult challenge as the seeming potential for UCLA as a consistent winner on the gridiron hasn't materialized in a long time.

The Bruins have had two 10-win seasons since 2005, and they've reached a bowl game twice in the last eight years.

Structural factors are working against UCLA as well.

The football team continues to be overshadowed by its cross-town rival, USC, and the full effects remain to be seen on how the demise of the Pac-12 as a power conference impacted West Coast football as a whole. At the very least, UCLA and USC don't have the advantages they once enjoyed in terms of keeping the best local talent in Southern California.

UCLA's proposed move from the legendary Rose Bowl in Pasadena is a sign of how administrators are determined to change the trajectory of the football program.

Yahoo Sports' Jeff Eisenberg and Dan Wolken cited one source who firmly believes the vision is there.

"Do I think UCLA is dead? No, I don't — not the way some people think it is," they said in September. "With the right coach and financial support that place can come back with a vengeance. Why? Because it's L.A., and people want to live in L.A. The brands are in L.A. Companies are in L.A. The media spotlight is in L.A. And the UCLA brand is still phenomenal."

That assessment has been true for a while with little progress made. Maybe Chesney is the coach who affects that change.