Photo by: Ross Turteltaub
Chesney’s First-Year Coaching Staff
December 14, 2025 | Football
updated Jan. 6, 2026
Bob Chesney was announced as the 20th head coach in UCLA football history on Dec. 6, 2025 by Martin Jarmond, UCLA's Alice and Nahum Lainer Family Director of Athletics. Chesney finished his second and final season as the head coach at James Madison on Dec. 20 with a College Football Playoff First Round appearance versus Oregon.
Chesney now begins assembling his first-year staff in Westwood. Below are the coaches and staff members joining Chesney at UCLA. This page will be updated when hires become official.
Watch
Chesney Introductory Press Conference (Dec. 9, 2025)
Chesney Bruin Insider Show Interview (Dec.10, 2025)
Coaching Staff
Colin Hitschler, Defensive Coordinator (Dec. 29, 2025) - RELEASE
Dean Kennedy, Offensive Coordinator (Dec. 29, 2025) - RELEASE
Drew Canan, Special Teams Coordinator/Tight Ends (Jan. 2, 2026) - RELEASE
Colin Lockett, Wide Receivers (Jan. 2, 2026) - RELEASE
Chris Smith, Offensive Line/Run Game Coordinator (Jan. 2, 2026) - RELEASE
A.J. Steward, Running Backs (Jan. 2, 2026) - RELEASE
Sam Daniels, Defensive Ends (Jan. 2, 2026) - RELEASE
Anthony DiMichele, Safeties (Jan. 2, 2026) - RELEASE
Eddie Whitley Jr., Defensive Backs (Jan. 2, 2026) - RELEASE
Gabe Lynn, Nickels (Jan. 2, 2026) - RELEASE
Vic So'oto, Linebackers (Jan. 2, 2026) - RELEASE
Legi Suiaunoa, Defensive Line (Jan. 2, 2026) - RELEASE
Support Staff
Darrick Yray, General Manager (Dec. 23, 2025) - RELEASE
Chris Grautski, Director of Athletic Performance (Jan. 5, 2026) - RELEASE
Jack Sprague, Associate Director of Athletic Performance (Jan. 5, 2026) - RELEASE
Devonte Chandler, Assistant Director of Athletic Performance (Jan. 5, 2026) - RELEASE
Ammasith Phrommavanh, Assistant Director of Athletic Performance (Jan. 5, 2026) - RELEASE
Greg Wandy, Assistant Director of Athletic Performance (Jan. 5, 2026) - RELEASE
Jordan Smith, Executive Director of Football Operations (Jan. 6, 2026) - RELEASE
Matt Transue, Chief of Staff (Jan. 6, 2026) - RELEASE
Richard Rodgers, Special Assistant to the Head Coach (Jan. 6, 2026) - RELEASE
Bob Chesney was announced as the 20th head coach in UCLA football history on Dec. 6, 2025 by Martin Jarmond, UCLA's Alice and Nahum Lainer Family Director of Athletics. Chesney finished his second and final season as the head coach at James Madison on Dec. 20 with a College Football Playoff First Round appearance versus Oregon.
Chesney now begins assembling his first-year staff in Westwood. Below are the coaches and staff members joining Chesney at UCLA. This page will be updated when hires become official.
Watch
Chesney Introductory Press Conference (Dec. 9, 2025)
Chesney Bruin Insider Show Interview (Dec.10, 2025)
Coaching Staff
Colin Hitschler, Defensive Coordinator (Dec. 29, 2025) - RELEASE
Dean Kennedy, Offensive Coordinator (Dec. 29, 2025) - RELEASE
Drew Canan, Special Teams Coordinator/Tight Ends (Jan. 2, 2026) - RELEASE
Colin Lockett, Wide Receivers (Jan. 2, 2026) - RELEASE
Chris Smith, Offensive Line/Run Game Coordinator (Jan. 2, 2026) - RELEASE
A.J. Steward, Running Backs (Jan. 2, 2026) - RELEASE
Sam Daniels, Defensive Ends (Jan. 2, 2026) - RELEASE
Anthony DiMichele, Safeties (Jan. 2, 2026) - RELEASE
Eddie Whitley Jr., Defensive Backs (Jan. 2, 2026) - RELEASE
Gabe Lynn, Nickels (Jan. 2, 2026) - RELEASE
Vic So'oto, Linebackers (Jan. 2, 2026) - RELEASE
Legi Suiaunoa, Defensive Line (Jan. 2, 2026) - RELEASE
Support Staff
Darrick Yray, General Manager (Dec. 23, 2025) - RELEASE
Chris Grautski, Director of Athletic Performance (Jan. 5, 2026) - RELEASE
Jack Sprague, Associate Director of Athletic Performance (Jan. 5, 2026) - RELEASE
Devonte Chandler, Assistant Director of Athletic Performance (Jan. 5, 2026) - RELEASE
Ammasith Phrommavanh, Assistant Director of Athletic Performance (Jan. 5, 2026) - RELEASE
Greg Wandy, Assistant Director of Athletic Performance (Jan. 5, 2026) - RELEASE
Jordan Smith, Executive Director of Football Operations (Jan. 6, 2026) - RELEASE
Matt Transue, Chief of Staff (Jan. 6, 2026) - RELEASE
Richard Rodgers, Special Assistant to the Head Coach (Jan. 6, 2026) - RELEASE
The First 48 Hours - Head Coach Bob Chesney Welcomed at UCLA
Friday, December 12
Bruin Insider Show - Bob Chesney (Dec. 10, 2025)
Wednesday, December 10
Cinematic Recap - UCLA Introduces Head Coach Bob Chesney (Dec. 9, 2025)
Tuesday, December 09
Bob Chesney Introductory Press Conference (Dec. 9, 2025)
Tuesday, December 09