How Bob Chesney made Curt Cignetti's blueprint his own to rebuild UCLA

Key Points:

• Bob Chesney and Curt Cignetti share similar coaching paths, both progressing from lower-division programs to leading James Madison to conference championships and revitalizing struggling teams by bringing familiar players with them.
• Chesney, now at UCLA, has retained key talent like five-star quarterback Nico Iamaleava, contributing to the Bruins' higher 247Sports Talent Composite ranking (24th in 2026) compared to Indiana under Cignetti (72nd).
• UCLA's offense is currently driven by a strong rushing attack led by running back Wayne Knight, a transfer from James Madison, who is averaging an impressive 9.08 yards per carry and has more rushing touchdowns than 30 Power Four teams.
• The Bruins' roster features significant contributions from former James Madison players across multiple positions, including offensive linemen and defensive players, bolstering their run game and defensive depth.
• Defensively, linebacker Sammy Omosigho stands out as a top performer with 7.5 tackles for loss and three sacks, while the secondary, including safety Ta'Shawn James with three interceptions, has been effective though yet untested against top competition like Oregon.