Bob Chesney likes it here.
He really, really likes it here.
That was the highly coveted UCLA football coach’s message Tuesday when asked about fan concerns regarding him possibly leaving for another job amid his skyrocketing reputation.
“This is the greatest place in the world to play football,” Chesney said. “I think it’s the greatest place in the world to coach football. I think I’m extremely blessed to be here. My family loves it here, I love it here; I mean, it’s November almost, look at us out here.
“So I truly love it. And again, the vision that I have for this place as an outsider looking in, is all things that are being met with that same energy, a plan of moving forward, an idea of chasing greatness and not being afraid to consider this big-time college football and to start building the program that way. So, very excited about our future and how things roll.”
In Year 1, Chesney has the unbeaten and seventh-ranked Bruins (7-0 overall, 5-0 Big Ten) firmly in the running for a spot in the College Football Playoff, continuing a run of success that has spanned every division of college football.
His immediate success at a place that has not appeared in a major bowl game since the 1999 Rose Bowl has caught the attention of everyone in the college football industry.
That could make Chesney a hot commodity in a coaching carousel that already includes openings at Baylor, N.C. State and Maryland, with more surely to come.
Even if Chesney wants to stay on his own accord, it would behoove UCLA to tear up his current five-year, $33.75 million contract and reward him with more years and significantly more money while also giving raises to his staff.
The Bruins can improve to 8-0 for the first time since 2005 on Saturday when they face Nevada at the Rose Bowl in a rare midseason nonconference game.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: nypost.com
