MidValleySports.Com

By Tim Peterson

New head coach Bob Chesney has already begun to transform the UCLA football program. It started with quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who many expected to enter the NFL draft after last season. But Iamaleava opted to return to UCLA which was the first step in the right direction for the Bruins.

With Iamaleava in the fold Chesney has brought in several more playmakers, some from his previous school James Madison. Running back Wayne Wright, and wide receivers Leland Smith and Semaj Morgan all came in from James Madison.

Chesney has also began to bolster the defensive side of the ball. Sahir West, another James Madison transfer, is a talented defensive end that will anchor a line that should be vastly improved.

Chesney has also tapped into his former school when it came to putting together his staff. Three recently hired staff members were all from James Madison. Chesney recently added eight new staff members with the most prominent name being former Michigan State quarterbacks coach Jon Boyer who will be the assistant quarterbacks coach.

Schedule wise the Bruins may fare slightly better than last season. they won’t have face Indiana or Ohio State. They will have a nonconference schedule of Cal, San Diego State and Nevada. In the Big Ten, UCLA will host Purdue, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Illinois and USC while going on the road to play Maryland, Oregon, Minnesota and Michigan.

One thing UCLA will not have to worry about, at least for now, is a change of scenery. Despite early reports that a move to SoFi Stadium was imminent UCLA has confirmed that the team will be playing at the Rose Bowl in 2026.

The decision to play at the Rose Bowl comes amid a legal dispute over UCLA’s possible termination of a lease which runs through 2043. UCLA was sued by Pasadena and the Rose Bowl last year claiming the university attempted to leave the stadium prematurely for SoFi Stadium. While SoFi Stadium could eventually become the Bruins home after all of the legal ramifications are worked out, UCLA will play at the Rose Bowl this season.

UCLA is scheduled to open spring practice April 2 and the spring game is set for Saturday May 2 at noon at the Rose Bowl. Admission for the spring game is free for fans who request a ticket and the format of the event will be determined closer to the event.