New Faces Step Up as UCLA Coach Bob Chesney Intensifies Spring Practice.
UCLA Football Coach Bob Chesney Welcomes Family Presence at Practice
UCLA football head coach Bob Chesney experienced a poignant reunion at Spaulding Field on Tuesday morning, as he welcomed his father, Bob Chesney Sr., a significant influence throughout his coaching career. This family visit came amidst a drizzly two-hour practice, where players showcased their skills, invigorating both sides of the field.
“Pretty cool,” Chesney remarked, noting that his father and mother, Claudia, a retired school teacher, flew in just the previous day. “It’s good to see him back out here for sure.”
Bob Chesney Sr. played a critical role in shaping his son’s coaching philosophy. While recognizing the vast distance from his upbringing in Kulpmont, Pennsylvania—a small coal mining town located 120 miles northwest of Philadelphia—Chesney Jr. highlights the differing perspectives that age and experience bring to the sport.
“He has a lot of things to say,” Chesney said, smiling. “He just sees the game differently. We’re so caught up in the exact Xs and O’s… he feels matchups, which mattered more back in the day when many teams ran similar offenses and defenses. It’s cool having younger coaches focused on schemes, contrasted with older perspectives that emphasize matchups and people.”
Following the practice session, Chesney praised his team’s attention to detail, especially in the wake of a performance he described as merely “okay” during their previous scrimmage. “I thought today looked a whole lot better; the intensity was where it should be, and we played some physical football,” he stated. "Overall we did a good job.”
Wide receiver Brian Rowe, a transfer from South Carolina, particularly impressed during practice, making a remarkable one-handed catch from quarterback Nico Iamaleava. “He runs really precise routes, he’s fast, he’s explosive, he understands leverage, and he brings his body to the ball,” said Chesney of the 5-foot-11 sophomore, who committed to UCLA recently.
Chesney also noted standout performances from several players, including Jaivian Thomas, who executed an impressive run, and linebacker Sammy Omosigho, who has shown consistent performance.
“Cole Martin keeps showing up, especially in the run game,” Chesney added. “There’s a lot of guys who did really well, but we need to keep working on our inconsistencies.”
While discussing player injuries, Chesney acknowledged that wide receiver Leland Smith is still dealing with upper-body issues, which have limited his participation in practice. As for the continuity of the offensive line, he admitted there are still uncertainties but expressed confidence that the team is moving in the right direction.
Chesney was heartened by how his quarterbacks adapted to new defensive strategies during practice. “The quarterback managed it well,” he noted, following a mix of successes and challenges in the day’s drills.
Linebacker Scott Taylor also proved to be instrumental, as the team experimented with new formations and blitz strategies. “I thought Scott did a good job of understanding the protection and what his reaction was,” Chesney remarked.
The practice session concluded with optimism surrounding sophomore tight end Noah Fox-Flores, who has shown considerable improvement over the past year. “He’s an impressive athlete,” Chesney said, reflecting on Fox-Flores’s evolving skills in both the run game and route-running.
As the Bruins gear up for the upcoming season, the blend of family support and camaraderie among players continues to foster a competitive and focused training environment.
