It seems that Bob Chesney, the new head coach for UCLA football, leaves no stone unturned.
He’s even focusing on something like how to handle TV timeouts.
Yes, really. During spring practices, coaches take a moment to discuss necessary adjustments—like tweaking the blocking scheme or repositioning a defensive back.
Once he’s identified what’s off, Chesney shares the insight with the players and gets back to practice.
This kind of scenario mirrors what they’ll face during real game day.
“This is what game day is like,” Chesney remarked after practice on Tuesday. “It’s crucial that every practice emulates that feeling.”
Here are five takeaways from UCLA’s lively third spring practice.
Please call him Mr. Hands-on.
Chesney is different from some coaches who prefer to stand back and oversee. He’s right in the fray during practice.
On Tuesday, he engaged directly with a defensive back, pushing the player’s arm into another’s hands before allowing him to pursue a fumble.
“Resist!” Chesney urged. “Just resist!”
When a fumble occurred, he got on one knee and placed his hands on the player, mimicking the pressure from an opponent.
Why does Chesney dive into details like this?
“I’m pretty unique in my approach,” he reflected. “When I’m present, it creates an impactful moment. It’s about the quality of those interactions, not just the quantity.”
1, 2, 3, 4 – Pressure
It was quite the scene—the entire team lined up 15 yards from punt returner Mikey Matthews.
At a cue, they surged toward Matthews in a simulated fair catch drill, all while an assistant coach doused him with water.
Chesney pointed out that these practices help determine who can take charge come April, rather than waiting until September.
“I don’t want to wait for game day to find out how someone performs under pressure,” Chesney stated. “I’d rather see it now in Practice 3, so we can build on it moving forward. This program’s essence is to not focus on traits that haven’t been tested yet.”
I finally have a sense of stability
Quarterback Nico Iamareaba is settling into his second season with the Bruins after a tumultuous transfer from Tennessee that sidelined him last spring and summer.
“In our discussions, it became clear: ‘This is different,’” Chesney shared. “During a leadership vote, he received overwhelming support as the team leader.”
“I wanted to make sure he knows he has the respect of his teammates. It’s not solely about position but how you perform and act off the field. He’s showing great potential and this is just the start.”
During the media-accessible practice on Tuesday, Iamareaba showed promise, completing a 20-yard pass to receiver Brian Rowe and demonstrating finesse with a short throw to Semaj Morgan.
competition rules
Chesney introduces one-on-one contests into practice to foster accountability among players.
This competitive spirit flows into team drills as well.
After one misfired play, defensive back Cole Martin chimed in, letting Iamareaba know who was on top.
“I told you it wouldn’t open, Nico!” Martin shouted. “Stop looking at me!”
mix it up
The first three spring practices were intentionally distinct.
“We aim to avoid monotony,” Chesney emphasized. “It’s essential they adapt to various scenarios and rise to the challenge.”
Following another session in shoulder pads and shorts, the team prepares to don full pads for the first time on Saturday.
