2 months ago
Can first-year head coach Bob Chesney really replicate the magic that he created at James Madison University with the UCLA Bruins? That's become the expectation as Chesney has yet to scuffle so far in his NCAA coaching career.
To accomplish the feat, Chesney brought over many of his James Madison players through the transfer portal to UCLA. One of those players is tight end Josh Phifer, who spoke to California Post writer Ben Bolch about the similarities between JMU and UCLA.
"I was getting goosebumps," Phifer said to Bolch. "Because I was like, holy s–t, it's happening, I can feel it. … This almost feels like JMUCLA – it feels like the same thing except it's beautiful every day, it's 75 degrees and all that."
Bruin fans would love for their football program to turn into JMUCLA, with Chesney leading the Dukes to a conference championship and a College Football Playoff appearance in 2025. Chesney has been laying the groundwork for a smooth transition, bringing over much of the roster, coaching staff and values to the Bruins' program.
Kicker Mateen Bhaghani spoke on the difference between last year's UCLA program and what he has experienced so far this season, which has been a much more lively experience.
#james #madison #bruins #bolch
To accomplish the feat, Chesney brought over many of his James Madison players through the transfer portal to UCLA. One of those players is tight end Josh Phifer, who spoke to California Post writer Ben Bolch about the similarities between JMU and UCLA.
"I was getting goosebumps," Phifer said to Bolch. "Because I was like, holy s–t, it's happening, I can feel it. … This almost feels like JMUCLA – it feels like the same thing except it's beautiful every day, it's 75 degrees and all that."
Bruin fans would love for their football program to turn into JMUCLA, with Chesney leading the Dukes to a conference championship and a College Football Playoff appearance in 2025. Chesney has been laying the groundwork for a smooth transition, bringing over much of the roster, coaching staff and values to the Bruins' program.
Kicker Mateen Bhaghani spoke on the difference between last year's UCLA program and what he has experienced so far this season, which has been a much more lively experience.
#james #madison #bruins #bolch
4 months ago
The checks keep clearing from Nike, so the UCLA Bruins might as well stick with checks on their uniforms too. According to the California Post’s Ben Bolch, Nike accepted an option to extend it’s apparel contract with UCLA for two additional years back in December of last year.
UCLA and Nike will now remain partners through at least June 30, 2029. Meaning that at minimum, Nike will be making the uniforms for the first three seasons of Bob Chesney’s tenure with UCLA football.
The partnership makes sense for both sides. Nike is the biggest brand in American sports and even though UCLA isn’t a force in men’s basketball or on the gridiron, it remains one of the most recognizable brands in college athletics. Bolch shared the details, which shows that the Bruins will be receiving a half of million dollars every year in the deal.
“Under the terms of the contract, UCLA will receive $7 million in retail value of Nike and Jordan Brand gear for the 2026-27 school year – the final year of the original deal – as well as $7.125 million in gear for the first option year and $7.25 million in gear for the second option year,” Bolch said. “UCLA will also receive $500,000 in cash for each of the next three school years as part of the deal – the same amount it had received in earlier years as part of a contract that took effect on July 1, 2021.”
UCLA has been with Nike/Jordan since 2020 after the school’s deal with Under Armour fell apart, leading to an eight-figure settlement to UCLA athletics. Perhaps the Under Armour deal not going through was a blessing in disguise for UCLA, allowing the Bruins to enter the NIL era of collegiate sports with a brand that’s held in a higher regard.
UCLA and Nike will now remain partners through at least June 30, 2029. Meaning that at minimum, Nike will be making the uniforms for the first three seasons of Bob Chesney’s tenure with UCLA football.
The partnership makes sense for both sides. Nike is the biggest brand in American sports and even though UCLA isn’t a force in men’s basketball or on the gridiron, it remains one of the most recognizable brands in college athletics. Bolch shared the details, which shows that the Bruins will be receiving a half of million dollars every year in the deal.
“Under the terms of the contract, UCLA will receive $7 million in retail value of Nike and Jordan Brand gear for the 2026-27 school year – the final year of the original deal – as well as $7.125 million in gear for the first option year and $7.25 million in gear for the second option year,” Bolch said. “UCLA will also receive $500,000 in cash for each of the next three school years as part of the deal – the same amount it had received in earlier years as part of a contract that took effect on July 1, 2021.”
UCLA has been with Nike/Jordan since 2020 after the school’s deal with Under Armour fell apart, leading to an eight-figure settlement to UCLA athletics. Perhaps the Under Armour deal not going through was a blessing in disguise for UCLA, allowing the Bruins to enter the NIL era of collegiate sports with a brand that’s held in a higher regard.
