James Franklin is officially off the board. Virginia Tech Hokies have snagged the former Penn State Nittany Lions head coach away. With that domino down, analysts are already hunting for the next big splash hire. The buzz is pointing straight at Bob Chesney. The $3-million man has James Madison rolling in just his second season. Now everyone’s wondering, where’s Chesney taking his talents next?

On the November 17th episode of the Cover 3 Podcast, Chip Patterson dropped, “Didn’t Brandon Marcelo mention that Bob Chesney is the name to watch next…maybe even at UCLA…Bob Chesney, in my mind the best next candidate, sort of on the mark.” Rick Neuheisel just put a spotlight on Chesney, naming him as a prime UCLA target as the Bruins’ coaching hunt starts heating up fast.

Neuheisel isn’t just any CBS Sports analyst. He is a UCLA insider to the core. A former Bruin player and head coach, he is still in close touch with the program, with his son, Jerry, serving as the offensive coordinator after DeShaun Foster was let go. But what makes Chesney such a hot candidate?

Everywhere this 48-year-old has landed, the win column follows. He built Holy Cross into a legit FCS force, pushed Assumption to three D-II playoff berths, and kept Salve Regina rolling. Taking over for Curt Cignetti at James Madison, he has gone 18-5 in two years. To keep Chesney locked in, James Madison has kept their fortune reserve free-flowing. 

Chesney is cashing in big. His $2.75 million deal pays him more than $833K this season, the richest salary JMU has handed out to a football coach since joining the FBS ranks. According to The Athletic, UCLA checks in at a $343 million valuation, tying them for 43rd among Power 4 programs. Vannini stamped their coaching vacancy with a clean B grade. However, accepting the UCLA head coaching throne will come with its share of baggage.

The Bruins haven’t sealed a 10-win season in over ten years. Fan energy is fading fast, and Rose Bowl crowds keep shrinking. And the athletic department’s finances have gone full disaster mode with a five-year deficit topping $200 million. So, in order to lock in Chesney, they will have to stir up a lucrative deal. Otherwise, they might face a poor fate like Arkansas in Franklin’s case.

UCLA is on high alert about Bob Chesney after Arkansas’ James Franklin heartbreak

The Nittany Lions might be going through a heartbreak. Even before they could fill their head coaching seat, Franklin found his new home. While the contract figure is yet to be revealed, the Hokies are going to come up with a fat check. After all, Franklin is known for his recruiting magic and would go full throttle to poach players from Penn State. More than the Nittany Lions, the Arkansas Razorbacks could feel a sharp pain in their heart. 

As an Arkansas beat writer, Trey Biddy tweeted, “Arkansas has zero interest in Ed Orgeron as HC. Not sure where that started and why I keep getting asked about it. UA did have early contact with James Franklin, and he reached out to ppl about inner workings at Arkansas, but he also will not be the Arkansas head coach. #wps.”

With Franklin hopping to Virginia Tech on Monday, UCLA finally got a domino to tip their way in the Chesney chase. Well, the Bruins haven’t poached a sitting head coach since Pepper Rodgers bolted Kansas to take the job back in 1971. However, about the Bruins’ job, the ball is in Chesney’s court. 

UCLA must be hoping Bob Chesney’s heart softens toward the Bruins. At 48, he could be a long-term anchor. And while he lacks West Coast chops, his defensive mindset makes Jerry Neuheisel the perfect holdover to keep the recruiting train rolling early on. Now we wait to see what sort of monster offer the Bruins slide across the table.