UCLA Football Coach Engages with Local High School Coaches
In the early days of his tenure, UCLA football head coach Bob Chesney made it a point to visit numerous high school coaches, aiming to familiarize himself with the Southern California area.
This past Friday, around 180 coaches, including 30 head coaches, visited UCLA for an on-campus clinic designed to build stronger ties between the Bruins and the local football community.
The turnout was impressive; coaches came from as distant as Virginia, filling both sidelines and end zones at Spalding Field.
Chesney mentioned that the event would help coaches understand how the program operates and determine if UCLA would be a suitable choice for their players.
“This gives them a chance to connect with our entire staff, observe practices, and grasp our methods, the pace we maintain,” Chesney said. “They’ll see the passion, the energy, and the toughness that defines our team, which is vital for players to know what they could aspire to if they join UCLA.”
Here are a few insights from an hour-long practice that resembled more of a walkthrough.
Positive Feedback
A high school coach named Cory Miner expressed his admiration for the observed tempo and energy on the field.
“With so many coaches present, everyone gains something valuable,” said Miner, who heads Bishop Amato High School in La Puente. “It’s beneficial for us.”
Chesney opened the clinic sharing his coaching philosophy, aiming to elevate the program to its best potential.
“It was exhilarating and emotional,” said Miner, reflecting on the presentation. Miner, who had played for Notre Dame and previously coached at UCLA, added, “I’ve taken notes to share with my team.”
Chesney has already made notable progress in recruiting, claiming four four-star prospects out of nine committed players for the class of 2027, ranking 22nd nationally according to On3.com.
Defensive Highlights
The most dynamic segment of practice featured one-on-ones between receivers and defensive backs near the goal line. Interestingly, the defense could have won all four matchups, except for an interference call made by Chesney.
“Umpiring is tricky; it’s not an easy gig,” he quipped while overseeing the practice.
Despite the call, the defense shone, highlighted by interceptions from Jace McMillan and Osiris Gilbert, who celebrated by running the length of the field together.
Managing Emotions on the Field
Given the competitive nature of the Bruins, emotions can sometimes run high during practice.
Chesney emphasized the importance of playing “with an edge” to channel passion without leading to conflicts or penalties.
“This program demands we play and train with that intensity every day,” he explained. “We also need to understand our boundaries and those of our teammates to protect one another. Maintaining composure, even while playing passionately, is crucial.”
Injury Updates
Defensive back Scooter Jackson was absent due to an unspecified injury, while center Sam Yun is gradually returning to practice after knee surgery.
Additionally, players like defensive linemen Nico Davillier and Ryan McCulloch, as well as a few others, are rejoining practice after recovering from injuries.
Upcoming Scrimmage
The Bruins are set to have their second spring scrimmage on Saturday, but it won’t be open to reporters or the public.
The first scrimmage experienced some disorganization as the new team adjusted to various strategies at high speed for the first time.
“I expect Saturday’s practice to be much more streamlined. The last one wasn’t terrible, but we need to improve,” Chesney commented. “We anticipate significant progress from this scrimmage to the next, as we expected some challenges.”
