The coaching carousel is spinning out of control, and two Big Ten programs are stuck right in the middle of it. After a promising 3-0 start dissolved into a nightmare season, Penn State made the call to fire James Franklin following a brutal 22-21 home loss to Northwestern. But across the country, UCLA is in a similar boat, having parted ways with DeShaun Foster before pulling off a shock 42-37 upset over those same Nittany Lions.
Now, their futures are tangled together. With Franklin already hired at Virginia Tech and Eric Morris leaving North Texas for Oklahoma State, the market is moving fast. Both the Nittany Lions and Bruins are seeking their next leader, but one candidate’s decision could stall the entire process.
UCLA Waiting on Penn State Coaching Decision?
With the early signing period arriving Dec. 3-5, 2025, the clock is ticking for both programs. According to Liam Blutman, James Madison head coach Bob Chesney is the top target in Westwood. However, the situation is complicated. Chesney appears to be holding out to see if Penn State offers him the job, even as the Nittany Lions are reportedly aiming very high for their next hire.
“As everyone knows UCLA’s No. 1 is Chesney. I’m confident it happens,” says Blutman. “Right now he’s essentially waiting for Penn State but Penn State is desperately poking around trying to make a splash. Chesney is not Penn State’s top option and I think Bob realizes that.”
This waiting game creates tension for UCLA. While they may have identified their man, the competition is fierce with vacancies at LSU, Florida, and Auburn also in the mix. Blutman notes Penn State pursued Tennessee’s Josh Heupel, but Heupel is staying in Knoxville.
If the Chesney situation doesn’t resolve quickly, the Bruins have other options. Oregon’s Tosh Lupoi, Arizona’s Brent Brennan, and New Mexico’s Jason Eck are names that have been mentioned with UCLA. The list of potential candidates extends to USF head coach Alex Golesh, Florida State Defensive Coordinator Tony White, Cleveland Browns Offensive Coordinator Tommy Rees, and Oregon Offensive Coordinator Will Stein.
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Chesney’s resume speaks for itself. Currently in his second season at James Madison with a 19-5 record, he boasts an impressive career mark of 130-51 across stops at Holy Cross (44-21), Assumption (44-16), and Salve Regina (23-9).
Beyond the wins, the financials make sense in a market dominated by massive contracts. His buyout is reportedly near $1.25 million with a contract worth just under $3 million. Additionally, his roots run deep in Pennsylvania. Born in Kulpmont and a graduate of Dickinson College in Carlisle, the connection to the Penn State opening is obvious, even if the Nittany Lions are looking elsewhere first.
