Despite not coaching a single game for the UCLA yet, Bruins new head coach Bob Chesney is already making waves in the Big Ten Conference.

An anonymous Big Ten HC spoke out about how Chesney has carried himself since arriving in Los Angeles. In an anonymous interview for Athlon Magazine, the opposing coach did not hold back.

"I've heard they've been kind of arrogant on the road with following the Cignetti model," the coach said. "Like, 'look who we are,' instead of saying, 'we're gonna do this the right way.' I'm interested to see how Chesney does, though."

The Cignetti reference holds some significance. HC Curt Cignetti is the Indiana head coach who went from James Madison to leading the Hoosiers to a national championship, the same path Chesney is now attempting to replicate at UCLA.

The former James Madison HC was hired by UCLA this offseason after leading the Dukes to a CFP berth last season, becoming one of only two Group of Five teams to crash the playoff.

The same coach also weighed in on UCLA's quarterback Nico Iamaleava. He discussed how he could see his potential and untap his playmaking skills if he were to be Chesney.

"If I was going to defend Iamaleava, I would do some things to stop him from running and make him throw the ball, particularly downfield. He's a playmaker," the coach said. "But without his feet and without his ability to scramble, I'm not sure he can sit in the pocket and carve you up."

While the anonymous coach did not mince his words regarding the Bruins' new hiring, Chesney would try to break the Bruins playoff curse in the upcoming season.

Chesney Eyes a Playoff Berth With The Bruins

In UCLA's previous two seasons under former HC Deshaun Foster and interim HC Tim Skipper, the Bruins posted a 8-16 record and failed to make the postseason. Dating back to 2000, UCLA has posted just three 10-win seasons.

Chesney did have an impressive collegiate resume. He led James Madison to a 21-6 record over the past two years and earned a CFP berth last season.

UCLA currently holds the No. 12 ranked recruiting class in the 2027 cycle, a sign that the program is already moving in the right direction under his watch.

The anonymous coach also flagged UCLA's NIL situation as a concern. He discussed how it was considered to be low in comparison to UCLA's resources.

"I was blown away with what their NIL budget was a few years ago. It was unfathomably low," the coach said. "I don't know if they've gotten that ramped up."

What do you think about the anonymous Big Ten coach's comments on Bob Chesney? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Farheen Fathima

Edited by

Rishab Nandi