UCLA’s Bob Chesney Receiving Major Curt Cignetti Comparison

UCLA football head coach Bob Chesney was put in rarified air on Saturday during the start of UCLA’s training camp, getting compared to legendary Indiana coach Curt Cignetti.

UCLA and Indiana are both in the Big Ten, but they are in two vastly different arcs in their programs.

Indiana has been a surface dweller in the conference for a long time, with the school and state known more for their basketball than football exploits.

However, they hired head coach Curt Cignetti two years ago, and in one year, he had them get a winning season and the next, they were the National Champions.

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May 2, 2026; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins coach Bob Chesney reacts during the spring game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Using the transfer portal, his ability to coach up players, and building a well-rounded program, Cignetti turned the school around in the blink of an eye.

While he has plenty of football left to offer, Cignetti is already a certified legend for his feat, and now, one of his former players believes Chesney could be next to instill a program turnaround.

UCLA defensive lineman Darold DeNgohe began his college career at James Madison, joining in 2023 while Cignetti was still around.

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Jul 29, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; UCLA Football head coach Bob Chesney speaks during Big Ten Media Days at Hilton Chicago. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

The following year, he got coached by Chesney, who replaced Cignetti at JMU, and now, he is back with Chesney at UCLA.

During training camp, DeNgohe was asked about any possible similarities between Chesney and Cignetti.

“They’re really just great winners, you know?” DeNgohe told the California Post. “It’s one of those things where they go about it in different ways, but the end result is the same — they win, they know how to get the best out of you, they know how to go about it. I think it was just something they were born with, you know, just to be winners.

“They try to instill all those great attributes that they have into each player, try to bring the best out of you. You know, don’t let certain things slide, have great expectations for us and all of that. So, it’s definitely similar in that aspect of they have the winner’s mentality, I would say.”

If Chesney can bring even 50% of the success that Cignetti brought to Indiana, the Bruins will be in great shape.