UCLA football coach Bob Chesney has completed his first staff with eight new hires, blending experienced coaches with James Madison connections to build a competitive culture ahead of spring practice on April 2.
As UCLA prepares to open spring football practice on April 2, head coach Bob Chesney has finalized his inaugural coaching staff with the addition of eight new members, a move that signals a deliberate effort to instill a culture of competition and toughness while leveraging trusted relationships from his previous stops.
First-Year Staff Blueprint: A Mix of Veterans and Rising Talent
Chesney’s hires span three categories: assistant position coaches, defensive analysts, and offensive analysts. The group features a blend of coaching veterans with decades of experience and emerging talents eager to make their mark.
- Jon Boyer – Assistant Quarterbacks Coach: Former Michigan State quarterbacks coach brings Power Five experience to Westwood.
- Mike Cordova – Assistant Tight Ends Coach: A familiar face, having served on Chesney’s staff for the past five years, ensuring continuity.
- Chris Monfiletto – Assistant Special Teams Coordinator/Specialist Coach: A veteran with over 20 years across high school, Division I, and Division III ranks.
- Scott Brisson – Senior Offensive Analyst: Previously an offensive analyst under Chesney at James Madison last season.
- Matt Biondi – Offensive Analyst (Quarterbacks): Returns for a second consecutive season after serving under former coach DeShaun Foster.
- Jacob Dobbs – Defensive Analyst (Linebackers)
- Ukoh Essang – Defensive Analyst (Defensive Line)
- Justice Seales – Defensive Analyst (Safeties)
All three defensive analysts share prior ties to James Madison, highlighting Chesney’s reliance on a trusted network from his time with the Dukes.
The James Madison Pipeline: Trust Forged in Success
Half of the new hires—Dobbs, Essang, and Seales—arrive directly from James Madison, where Chesney built a formidable program before taking the UCLA job. This isn’t merely about convenience; it’s a strategic play to import a pre-existing chemistry and philosophical alignment. Analysts, while not always in the public spotlight, are critical for game planning, personnel evaluation, and staff collaboration. By bringing in three JMU defenders who understand his systems, Chesney accelerates the defensive staff’s ability to hit the ground running.
Balancing Continuity and Fresh Perspectives
Chesney didn’t just reach back to his JMU well. The retention of Matt Biondi, who worked with quarterbacks under DeShaun Foster, provides a bridge to the previous regime’s knowledge of UCLA’s roster and campus dynamics. Meanwhile, the addition of Chris Monfiletto—a coach who’s seen the game from high school fields to Division III locker rooms—injects a perspective focused on fundamental development and adaptability, qualities essential for a program in transition.
“We were very intentional in assembling this first-year staff,” Chesney stated in the announcement. “Our assistant coaches and analysts will play a critical role in our success on the field while helping build a culture rooted in competition and toughness. This group brings a strong combination of veteran football knowledge and hungry, emerging talent. Together, they will elevate every aspect of our program.”
Why This Matters: Beyond Filling Seats
For a fanbase questioning the program’s direction after a turbulent period, this staff announcement is more than bureaucratic—it’s a foundational moment. The hires directly address two fan-driven concerns: cultural reset and tactical upgrade.
First, the emphasis on “competition and toughness” in Chesney’s quote responds to criticisms of the previous staff’s ability to develop physical, relentless teams. Second, the specific assignments—separating analyst roles by unit (linebackers, defensive line, safeties) and dedicating an assistant to tight ends—suggest a granular, modern approach to position coaching that was sometimes lacking.
The retention of Biondi is a subtle but masterful move. It signals to returning players that some institutional knowledge remains valued, reducing the sense of a total reset that can disrupt offseason development.
The April 2 Clock: No Time to Waste
Spring practice begins in just over two weeks. Chesney’s staff must immediately integrate, evaluate a roster that saw significant turnover, and begin installing new offensive and defensive schemes. The analysts, many of whom already know Chesney’s methods, will be crucial in preparing case studies and initial installation materials. The first 15 practices will be a high-stakes audition for this entire group’s ability to function as a cohesive unit.
Fan Context: Navigating a Post-Foster Landscape
DeShaun Foster’s tenure ended with mixed results and a sense of unfinished business. By keeping one of Foster’s analysts (Biondi) while overhauling the rest, Chesney balances respect for the recent past with a clear break in philosophy. Fans will be watching how quickly this new staff gels and whether the “hungry, emerging talent” Chesney mentions translates to improved roster development, particularly at quarterback where Jon Boyer now oversees assistant coaching duties.
The move also comes as UCLA navigates its move to the Big Ten, which has significantly boosted the athletic department’s revenue according to reports, providing the financial flexibility for such staff expansions and resources that were previously constrained in the Pac-12.
This staff isn’t a glamorous splash hire; it’s a workmanlike, relationship-driven construction that prioritizes cultural fit and proven collaboration. In today’s coach-carousel era, where assistants are often raided after one good season, Chesney’s ability to lock in multiple JMU associates speaks to the loyalty he inspires.
The work begins April 2. The foundation is now set.
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