Jeff HauserFri, November 28, 2025 at 4:44 AM UTC·1 min readGreg McElroy calls on Big Ten team to us 'Moneyball' approach in coaching search originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Greg McElroy believes UCLA doesn’t need to rebuild with a big name. They need to maximize their value.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOn the latest episode of Always College Football podcast, McElroy called James Madison head coach Bob Chesney the ideal fit for the Bruins’ head-coaching vacancy, praising his ability to “do more with less.”
UCLA fired DeShaun Foster three games into his second season after a bad tenure, handing the program to interim coach Tim Skipper. It's been a true we rollercoaster and the next hire can't be a miss.
Skipper delivered an early jolt, including an upset of then-No. 7 Penn State on Oct. 4, but the Bruins faded to 3-8 under his watch and remain headed for another coaching reset.
Chesney brings a track record of organizational structure and roster efficiency UCLA needs bad. Especially with future home games moving to SoFi Stadium next year.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMcElroy labeled the potential hire as an“obvious” move, citing Chesney’s methodical talent evaluation and culture consistency. He compared the approach to a “Moneyball” model by prioritizing scouting leverage and a collective buy-in over raw spending power.
Chesney began his coaching career at Division III Salve Regina in 2010, climbing from Division II Assumption to FCS Holy Cross before taking the James Madison job in 2024. He replaced Curt Cignetti, who left for Indiana, and has guided the Dukes to a 19-5 record over the past two seasons. James Madison remains alive for a Group-of-5 CFP berth entering rivalry week.
UCLA is seeking a long-term edge in a crowded Big Ten. They want a headliner capable of immediate roster credibility. McElroy believes Chesney checks the most critical box of maximizing wins while staying under budgets.
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