Bob Chesney joined the UCLA Bruins as head coach on Dec. 6, 2025, after leading the James Madison Dukes to a 12-win season and a College Football Playoff berth in 2025. His primary focus as the Bruins’ head coach will be helping Nico Iamaleava unlock his full potential, following a challenging first season in Westwood for the quarterback.
In an appearance on “See Ball Get Ball,” hosted by David Pollack, Chesney was asked about his vision for the Bruins’ offense. Chesney gave a candid answer, centering much of his plan around Iamaleava.
Why Nico Iamaleava Is Bob Chesney’s Top Priority at UCLA
“As far as matching with the Big 10, that’s still to be determined,” Chesney said (19:15). “But for us, the idea of being confident, walking out on that field, being inspired and confident, that’s a big part of it. But we got to be able to run the football. We got to be able to protect Nico. I think if there’s anything that he had an issue with last year, it was just that he was under a lot of duress.
“I don’t know if the run game ever really got going. So then he was stuck back there in that pocket, and teams were able to just sort of tee off on him. And I think that we have a little bit. I like the weapons we have out in the receiver room. I also like the running game we got. We have a couple of good tight ends that could be involved in the run blocking game that are also threats in the pass game.”
Iamaleava led UCLA in rushing with 505 yards and four touchdowns in 2025, but his passing production stood at 1,928 yards with 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions. This was a transition from the 2,616 yards and 19 touchdowns he recorded in 2024 with the Tennessee Volunteers, where he led the team to a 10-3 record and its first-ever College Football Playoff appearance. During UCLA’s 3-9 campaign in 2025, his efficiency was tested, finishing with a 123.5 passer rating.
The lack of offensive balance often left Iamaleava under pressure, as he was sacked 27 times throughout the season. However, he still showed his high ceiling, such as in a performance against the Penn State Nittany Lions where he flashed the talent that made him a five-star recruit. He finished the season with a 78.5 score in the PFSN College Football QB Impact Metric, ranking No. 75 in the nation.
UCLA’s disastrous 0-3 start in 2025 led to the firing of DeShaun Foster midseason, with the team eventually finishing 3-9. With Iamaleava returning as the starting quarterback for the 2026 season, the team benefits from much-needed stability at a critical position. Chesney is already impressed with Iamaleava’s progress in spring practice and praised the quarterback for his “poise, his understanding of the offense, [and] his communication.”
Chesney also praised Iamaleava’s dedication, noting that the quarterback is currently spending significant time in the meeting rooms and on film as he works to develop as a leader for the team.
