The Zeitgeist List · coaching

UCLA: a football coaching history

National Program I#38 of 138–
See UCLA’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →
← all coaches
Program GOAT
Red Sanders
Peaked at Power Program I
Built by
Red Sanders
National Program I → Power Program I (+21.7)
The fall
Bill Barnes
Power Program I → National Program I (−14.5)
Right now
Bob Chesney
in year 1 — too new to place in UCLA's history

Stature & coaches, 1936–2026

The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.

program stature (★ = Dynasty-tier season)HorrellSandersBarnesProthroDonahueToledoDorrellMoraKelly19401960198020002020

Every coach

2026–now
Bob Chesneyshort tenure
0–0
2025–2025
Tim Skippershort tenure
3–6
2024–2025
Deshaun Fostershort tenure
5–10
2018–2023
Chip Kellycaretaker
Chip Kelly slid UCLA from Power Program III to National Program I in 6 seasons.
National Program I
35–34
2017–2017
Jedd Fischshort tenure
1–1
2012–2017
Jim Moracaretaker
Jim Mora moved UCLA from National Program II to Power Program III in 6 seasons.
+11.0
46–30
2008–2011
Rick Neuheiselcaretaker
Rick Neuheisel slid UCLA from Power Program III to National Program I in 4 seasons.
−9.9
21–28
2007–2007
DeWayne Walkershort tenure
0–1
2003–2007
Karl Dorrellcaretaker
Karl Dorrell slid UCLA from Power Program II to Power Program III in 5 seasons.
Power Program III
35–27
1996–2002
Bob Toledocaretaker
Bob Toledo moved UCLA from Power Program II to Power Program I in 7 seasons.
Power Program I
49–32
1976–1995
Terry Donahuecaretaker
Terry Donahue moved UCLA from Power Program II to Power Program I in 20 seasons.
Power Program I
151–74
1974–1975
Dick Vermeilshort tenure
15–5
1971–1973
Pepper Rodgerscaretaker
Pepper Rodgers held UCLA at Power Program II for 3 seasons.
Power Program II
19–12
1965–1970
Tommy Prothrobuilder
Tommy Prothro raised UCLA from National Program I to Power Program II.
+12.7
41–18
1958–1958
George Dickersonshort tenure
1–2
1958–1964
Bill Barnesinheritor
Bill Barnes inherited a Power Program I UCLA and won with it.
−14.5
31–34
1949–1957
Red Sandersbuilder
Red Sanders raised UCLA from National Program I to Power Program I.
+21.7
66–19
1945–1948
Bert LaBrucheriebuilder
Bert LaBrucherie raised UCLA from National Program III to National Program I.
+14.4
23–16
1939–1944
Babe Horrellcaretaker
Babe Horrell held UCLA at National Program II for 6 seasons.
National Program II
24–31
1936–1938
William Spauldingcaretaker
William Spaulding held UCLA at National Program II for 3 seasons.
National Program II
15–13