RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 2 sourcesThe first question new UCLA Bruins head coach Bob Chesney was asked at the Big Ten Conference Media Day was about his relationship with starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava . The new UCLA head coach is inheriting Iamaaleava but that doesn’t mean they’re not the perfect fit.
Iamaleava is an immensely talented player and now has a coaching staff capable of elevating him even further as a player. New offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy will try to maximize Iamaleava’s abilities , with the dual-threat quarterback possessing the size and speed to play at the next level.
Chesney discussed retaining the quarterback, stating that Iamaleava never had any interest in leaving the Bruins .
“He did not want to go anywhere. This is where he wanted to be. This is where he wanted to play,” Chesney said . “It was just a matter of making sure that he understood that we have a plan. That was it.”
Last year Iamaleava had humble passing statistics, throwing for 1,928 yards and 13 touchdowns. What made the season so promising was what Iamaleava did with his legs, picking up 505 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. Not only does Chesney need Iamaleava the player this season, he needs Iamaleava the leader too.
“When your head coach, your coordinator, everybody leaves that program in Week 3. After he (Iamaleava) only got there in the second half of the summer. So he spent three or four weeks with them, through camp, and all of the sudden there’s a major change. That’s a challenge,” Chesney said of Iamaleava’s situation. “It’s hard to lead in those moments when you don’t even really know everybody. So to watch him just grow, and run with this, and flourish at this moment as the leader.”
We’ll see if Iamaleava can lead the Bruins to some wins in 2026.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Bob Chesney will be leaning on Nico Iamaleava in a major way in 2026
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