University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Bob Chesney at James Madison
Photo by: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Chesney Receives Paul “Bear” Bryant Fan Vote Favorite and G6 Coach of the Year Awards
January 22, 2026 | Football
HOUSTON – New UCLA head coach Bob Chesney was in attendance as a finalist at the Paul "Bear" Bryant Award Ceremony on Wednesday, where he received the G6 Coach of the Year and Fan Vote Favorite Coach of the year awards following James Madison's historic season in 2025.
Chesney was one of eight finalists for the Paul "Bear" Bryant Award which was given to Indiana's Curt Cignetti. Other finalists included Miami's Mario Cristobal, Texas A&M's Mike Elko, Virginia's Tony Elliott, Oregon's Dan Lanning, Vanderbilt's Clark Lea and Texas Tech's Joey McGuire.
Earlier in the season, Chesney was honored as a national finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award and semifinalist for the George Munger Coach of the Year Award.
The 2025 football season saw James Madison go 12-2 overall with an unblemished 8-0 mark in Sun Belt Conference play. Following a 31-14 victory over Troy in the Sun Belt Football Championship, JMU was the fifth-highest ranked conference champion and was the No. 12 seed for the 2025-26 College Football Playoff.
The Dukes won an FBS-era program record 11 straight games between Sept. 20 and Dec. 5 and was ranked No. 19 in the final AP poll on Jan 20. Chesney's James Madison team led the Sun Belt in scoring offense and defense and total offense and defense while being tops in the league in both rushing offense and defense.
The Sun Belt honored James Madison with four major yearly awards and a program-record 19 All-Sun Belt laurels, highlighted by Chesney being voted Coach of the Year, Alonza Barnett as Player of the Year, Trent Hendrick as Defensive Player of the Year and Sahir West as Freshman of the Year. Running back Wayne Knight was named an Associated Press Second Team All-American in the all-purpose category.
Both Knight and West signed with UCLA football during the January college football transfer portal window and will join the Bruins for the upcoming 2026-27 season.
About the Bear Bryant Coach of the Year
The award, now in its 40th year, is given annually to a college football coach for contributions that make the sport better for athletes and fans alike by demonstrating grit, integrity and a winning approach to coaching and life – both on and off the field. The Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award is the only college football coaching honor given after the national champion has been determined. The finalists and Coach of the Year recipient are voted on by members of the National Sports Media Association, the Bryant Awards' Executive Leadership Team and the Bryant Family.
Chesney was one of eight finalists for the Paul "Bear" Bryant Award which was given to Indiana's Curt Cignetti. Other finalists included Miami's Mario Cristobal, Texas A&M's Mike Elko, Virginia's Tony Elliott, Oregon's Dan Lanning, Vanderbilt's Clark Lea and Texas Tech's Joey McGuire.
Earlier in the season, Chesney was honored as a national finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award and semifinalist for the George Munger Coach of the Year Award.
The 2025 football season saw James Madison go 12-2 overall with an unblemished 8-0 mark in Sun Belt Conference play. Following a 31-14 victory over Troy in the Sun Belt Football Championship, JMU was the fifth-highest ranked conference champion and was the No. 12 seed for the 2025-26 College Football Playoff.
The Dukes won an FBS-era program record 11 straight games between Sept. 20 and Dec. 5 and was ranked No. 19 in the final AP poll on Jan 20. Chesney's James Madison team led the Sun Belt in scoring offense and defense and total offense and defense while being tops in the league in both rushing offense and defense.
The Sun Belt honored James Madison with four major yearly awards and a program-record 19 All-Sun Belt laurels, highlighted by Chesney being voted Coach of the Year, Alonza Barnett as Player of the Year, Trent Hendrick as Defensive Player of the Year and Sahir West as Freshman of the Year. Running back Wayne Knight was named an Associated Press Second Team All-American in the all-purpose category.
Both Knight and West signed with UCLA football during the January college football transfer portal window and will join the Bruins for the upcoming 2026-27 season.
About the Bear Bryant Coach of the Year
The award, now in its 40th year, is given annually to a college football coach for contributions that make the sport better for athletes and fans alike by demonstrating grit, integrity and a winning approach to coaching and life – both on and off the field. The Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award is the only college football coaching honor given after the national champion has been determined. The finalists and Coach of the Year recipient are voted on by members of the National Sports Media Association, the Bryant Awards' Executive Leadership Team and the Bryant Family.
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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)
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Bob Chesney Introductory Press Conference (Dec. 9, 2025)
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