UCLA Eyes $3.4M Big 12 Coach as DeShaun Foster Replacement

UCLA is still looking for a new head coach after letting go of DeShaun Foster. Several big-name coaches have been considered, but no decision has been made yet. Now, two main candidates are emerging as favorites.

According to On3’s Pete Nakos, the top choices are Brent Brennan from Arizona and Bob Chesney from James Madison. UCLA finishes its season on Saturday, November 29, at USC, and they want to hire a coach soon.

Brent Brennan, 52, is from California and played wide receiver at UCLA in 1993-94. He has coached mostly on the West Coast and built a strong network for recruiting local players. Brennan started coaching at Woodside High School in 1996, then became head coach at San Jose State and Arizona. His career record is 44-59.

Brennan has shown he can turn programs around. He led San Jose State from a 2-11 record in 2017 to a Mountain West Conference title in 2020 and took them to three bowl games. At Arizona, he went 4-8 in his first season but improved to 8-3 this year, with better offense and defense.

He earns $3.4 million a year with a $1.2 million bonus and has a five-year contract through 2029. UCLA would have to pay $7.5 million to hire him.

Bob Chesney has also impressed. Since joining James Madison in 2024, he has a 19-5 record. He led the Dukes to a 9-4 bowl season in 2024 and a 10-1 record this year, reaching the Sun Belt Conference title game. Chesney’s career record is 130-51, including five straight Patriot League championships at Holy Cross.

Chesney makes $2.75 million a year, with a $1.2 million bonus and a $1.25 million buyout. He is also linked to Penn State.

UCLA’s coaching search is heating up, and with Brennan and Chesney as the main candidates, a big announcement could come soon.

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