UCLA: a football coaching history

Big movers show how many stature points they built or lost against what they inherited; steadier tenures show the tier they reached instead. A small blue arrow marks a real System Shift at that changeover — how hard the offense’s run/pass identity flipped.

2026–now

Bob Chesney Short tenure

2026 defense ranked in the 100th percentile nationally — elite

8-0

2025

Tim Skipper Short tenure

No outlier style signal this stint

3-6

2024–2025

Deshaun Foster Short tenure

No outlier style signal this stint

5-10

2018–2023

Chip Kelly Steady

Chip Kelly slid UCLA from Power Program III to National Program I in 6 seasons.

2019 defense ranked in the 3th percentile nationally — historically bad

−2.6 pts over 6 seasons · bottom 33% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Justin Wilcox’s California run (2017–2025)

9th-best UCLA tenure of 13 by the numbers.

Followed Jim Mora (2012–2017) · succeeded by Deshaun Foster (2024–2025).

System Shift, on departure

System Shift, on arrival

Season	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
Record & result
Record	3-9	4-8	3-4	8-4	9-4	8-5
Postseason	—	—	—	—	L bowl	W bowl
Recruiting rank	#19	#40	#32	#29	#61	#37
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	47.5	46.5	38.5	39.3	44.9	43.8
Coordinators
OC	Chip Kelly	Justin Frye	Justin Frye	Justin Frye	Chip Kelly	—
DC	Jerry Azzinaro	Jerry Azzinaro	Jerry Azzinaro	Jerry Azzinaro	Bill McGovern	D'Anton Lynn
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	60	30	76	87	95	44
Defense	20	3	55	47	18	85
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	45.9	50.0	39.8	38.8	47.5	43.6
Red-zone pass%	36.8	55.7	30.3	32.5	36.8	43.3
4th-down go%opp. territory	38.6	42.9	52.4	38.9	41.5	50.0

Recruiter or developer?

Performs about as expected for his recruiting talent on offense and underperforms his recruiting talent on defense.

Offense vs. talent

+5.4 pts

#85 of 208 · middle half

Defense vs. talent

-20.9 pts

#180 of 208 · bottom quarter

Recruiting talent is team-wide (no offense/defense split exists in the source data) -- both sides are scored against the same talent input, only the outcome is side-specific.

Roster construction · portal era

A typical amount of portal roster-building.

Portal arrivals

3.2★ avg rating

Portal departures

left via the portal

Net portal flow

-1

#107 of 187 FBS stints

Who they bring in

Brings in bigger-than-position-typical players than most.

Recruits older, more experienced transfers than most.

Avg. size (raw)

6′3″, 250 lbs

across 28 of 35 arrivals — unadjusted for position mix

Size vs. position-typical

+11.8 lbs

#2 of 255 · top quarter

Avg. class year

#1 of 255 · top quarter

Top states: CA (8), TX (4), NV (2), HI (2), CO (2)

Who won the portal our read

Talent added

59.1

position-weighted

Talent lost

55.1

position-weighted

Net

+4.0

arrivals minus departures

Best addition: Collin Schlee (QB) from Kent State

Biggest loss: Kajiya Hollawayne (QB) to Grambling

Position-value-weighted (QB/CB weighted highest, depth-decayed within each position) — the same scoring engine as the Portal Heat feed, not a separate grade.

Does the system survive a coordinator change?

OC: Chip Kelly → Justin Frye · 2019

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

1st-down pass rate: 45.9% → 50.0% (+4.1 pts)

Confound, shown not hidden: only 55% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.

OC: Justin Frye → Chip Kelly · 2022

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

1st-down pass rate: 38.8% → 47.5% (+8.6 pts)

Confound, shown not hidden: only 62% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.

DC: Jerry Azzinaro → Bill McGovern · 2022

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

DC: Bill McGovern → D'Anton Lynn · 2023

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

Roster size, by position

Skill positions · usage-weighted (real participation)

Quarterback

206 lbs

6′1″ avg · #563 of 767 · middle half

Running back

211 lbs

6′0″ avg · #244 of 791 · middle half

Wide receiver

192 lbs

6′0″ avg · #423 of 791 · middle half

Tight end

248 lbs

6′5″ avg · #259 of 731 · middle half

Trench & secondary · recruited roster, not confirmed starters

Interior line

306 lbs

6′4″ avg · #518 of 779 · middle half

D-line

277 lbs

6′3″ avg · #535 of 753 · middle half

Linebacker

231 lbs

6′2″ avg · #268 of 772 · middle half

Cornerback

195 lbs

6′0″ avg · #118 of 771 · top quarter

Offensive-line size is one undifferentiated bucket — the source data almost never distinguishes tackle from guard from center, so we can't split them out.

Where the roster comes from, by position

Grows Kicker from high school

75%

#49 of 56 stints

Grows Tight end from high school

88%

#162 of 188 stints

Postseason detail2022: Lost to Pittsburgh 35-37 Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl2023: Beat Boise State 35-22 Starco Brands LA Bowl

18 NFL Draft picks: Caleb Wilson (2019), Devin Asiasi (2020), Darnay Holmes (2020), Joshua Kelley (2020), Osa Odighizuwa (2021), Demetric Felton (2021), Greg Dulcich (2022), Sean Rhyan (2022) + 10 more

3 player-seasons honored (All-America / national award): Jaelan Phillips (2020), Zach Charbonnet (2022), Laiatu Latu (2023)

−2.6

35-34

2017

Jedd Fisch Short tenure

Averaged a 57% pass rate — among the most pass-heavy stretches in FBS since 2004

1-1

2012–2017

Jim Mora Steady≈

Jim Mora moved UCLA from National Program II to Power Program III in 6 seasons.

No outlier style signal this stint

+11.0 pts over 6 seasons · top 14% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Mark Hudspeth’s Louisiana run (2011–2017)

8th-best UCLA tenure of 13 by the numbers.

Followed Rick Neuheisel (2008–2011) · succeeded by Chip Kelly (2018–2023).

System Shift, on arrival

System Shift, on departure

Season	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017
Record & result
Record	9-5	10-3	10-3	8-5	4-8	5-6
Postseason	L bowl	W bowl	W bowl	L bowl	—	—
Recruiting rank	#18	#7	#18	#12	#13	#20
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	45.3	40.8	43.9	52.6	58.9	57.4
Coordinators
OC	—	—	Noel Mazzone	Noel Mazzone	Kennedy Polamalu	Jedd Fisch
DC	—	—	Jeff Ulbrich	Tom Bradley	Tom Bradley	Tom Bradley
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	55	85	70	74	25	78
Defense	55	16	57	66	88	17
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	39.7	38.1	40.2	48.4	54.8	58.5
Red-zone pass%	46.2	35.1	38.4	44.4	48.4	52.5
4th-down go%opp. territory	24.1	20.6	24.4	20.6	21.1	29.3

Recruiter or developer?

Performs about as expected for his recruiting talent, on both sides of the ball.

Offense vs. talent

-5.8 pts

#133 of 208 · middle half

Defense vs. talent

-6.2 pts

#134 of 208 · middle half

Recruiting talent is team-wide (no offense/defense split exists in the source data) -- both sides are scored against the same talent input, only the outcome is side-specific.

Does the system survive a coordinator change?

OC: Noel Mazzone → Kennedy Polamalu · 2016

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

1st-down pass rate: 48.4% → 54.8% (+6.4 pts)

Confound, shown not hidden: only 54% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.

DC: Jeff Ulbrich → Tom Bradley · 2015

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

Where the roster comes from, by position

Grows Tight end from high school

100%

#164 of 188 stints

Grows Edge from high school

100%

#191 of 208 stints

Postseason detail2012: Lost to Baylor 26-49 Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl2013: Beat Virginia Tech 42-12 Hyundai Sun Bowl2014: Beat Kansas State 40-35 Valero Alamo Bowl2015: Lost to Nebraska 29-37 Foster Farms Bowl

30 NFL Draft picks: Datone Jones (2013), Johnathan Franklin (2013), Jeff Locke (2013), Jeff Baca (2013), Anthony Barr (2014), Xavier Su'a-Filo (2014), Cassius Marsh (2014), Shaq Evans (2014) + 22 more

+11.0

46-30

2008–2011

Rick Neuheisel Steady

Rick Neuheisel slid UCLA from Power Program III to National Program I in 4 seasons.

No outlier style signal this stint

−9.9 pts over 4 seasons · bottom 13% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Charlie Strong’s Texas run (2014–2016)

11th-best UCLA tenure of 13 by the numbers.

Followed Karl Dorrell (2003–2007) · succeeded by Jim Mora (2012–2017).

System Shift, on arrival

System Shift, on departure

Season	2008	2009	2010	2011
Record & result
Record	4-8	7-6	4-8	6-6
Postseason	—	W bowl	—	L bowl
Recruiting rank	#14	#13	#10	#45
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	53.3	50.9	39.7	38.5
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	8	28	20	50
Defense	93	83	26	35
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	49.1	44.1	33.3	28.4
Red-zone pass%	46.7	47.3	23.8	27.2
4th-down go%opp. territory	7.4	16.7	16.7	36.7

Where the roster comes from, by position

Grows Tight end from high school

100%

#164 of 188 stints

Grows Running back from high school

100%

#196 of 208 stints

Postseason detail2009: Beat Temple 30-21 Bowl2011: Lost to Illinois 14-20 Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl

6 NFL Draft picks: Brian Price (2010), Alterraun Verner (2010), Terrence Austin (2010), Akeem Ayers (2011), Rahim Moore (2011), David Carter (2011)

−9.9

21-28

2007

DeWayne Walker Short tenure

2007 defense ranked in the 99th percentile nationally — elite

0-1

2003–2007

Karl Dorrell Steady

Karl Dorrell slid the Bruins from Power Program II to Power Program III in 5 seasons.

2005 defense ranked in the 1th percentile nationally — historically bad

−4.8 pts over 5 seasons · bottom 38% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Dave Baldwin’s San José State run (1997–2000)

7th-best UCLA tenure of 13 by the numbers.

Followed Bob Toledo (1996–2002) · succeeded by Rick Neuheisel (2008–2011).

System Shift, on departure

Season	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
Record & result
Record	6-7	6-6	10-2	7-6	6-6
Postseason	L bowl	L bowl	W bowl	L bowl	—
Recruiting rank	—	#31	#21	#57	#91
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	—	43.4	47.2	47.8	42.5
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	—	53	70	15	6
Defense	—	44	1	72	99
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	—	44.3	50.0	39.8	34.6
Red-zone pass%	—	37.6	31.3	39.3	34.7
4th-down go%opp. territory	—	41.4	27.8	9.1	15.4

Where the roster comes from, by position

Grows Running back from high school

100%

#196 of 208 stints

Grows Tackle from high school

100%

#198 of 223 stints

Postseason detail2003: Lost to Fresno State 9-17 Bowl2004: Lost to Wyoming 21-24 Bowl2005: Beat Northwestern 50-38 Bowl2006: Lost to Florida State 27-44 Bowl

15 NFL Draft picks: Matt Ware (2004), Brandon Chillar (2004), Dave Ball (2004), Rodney Leisle (2004), Manuel White (2005), Ben Emanuel (2005), Tab Perry (2005), Craig Bragg (2005) + 7 more

−4.8

35-27

1996–2002

Bob Toledo Steady

Bob Toledo moved UCLA from Power Program II to Power Program I in 7 seasons.

−1.8 pts over 7 seasons · bottom 37% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Rich Rodriguez’s Arizona run (2012–2017)

3rd-best UCLA tenure of 13 by the numbers.

Followed Terry Donahue (1976–1995) · succeeded by Karl Dorrell (2003–2007).

Season	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002
Record & result
Record	5-6	10-2	10-2	4-7	6-6	7-4	7-5
Postseason	—	W bowl	L bowl	—	L bowl	—	—
Recruiting rank	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Defense	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Red-zone pass%	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
4th-down go%opp. territory	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

Where the roster comes from, by position

Grows Safety from high school

100%

#201 of 218 stints

Postseason detail1997: Beat Texas A&M 29-23 Bowl1998: Lost to Wisconsin 31-38 Bowl2000: Lost to Wisconsin 20-21 Bowl

16 NFL Draft picks: Shaun Williams (1998), Skip Hicks (1998), Chad Overhauser (1998), Cade McNown (1999), Kris Farris (1999), Larry Atkins (1999), Danny Farmer (2000), Freddie Mitchell (2001) + 8 more

−1.8

49-32

1976–1995

Terry Donahue Steady

Terry Donahue moved UCLA from Power Program II to Power Program I in 20 seasons.

+6.4 pts over 20 seasons · bottom 27% of 10+-season tenures (202 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Paul Pasqualoni’s Syracuse run (1991–2004)

2nd-best UCLA tenure of 13 by the numbers.

Followed Dick Vermeil (1974–1975) · succeeded by Bob Toledo (1996–2002).

Season	1976	1977	1978	1979	1980	1981	1982	1983	1984	1985	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995
Record & result
Record	9-2-1	7-4	8-3-1	5-6	9-2	7-4-1	10-1-1	7-4-1	9-3	9-2-1	8-3-1	10-2	10-2	3-7-1	5-6	9-3	6-5	8-4	5-6	7-5
Postseason	L bowl	—	L bowl	—	—	L bowl	W bowl	W bowl	W bowl	W bowl	W bowl	W bowl	W bowl	—	—	W bowl	—	L bowl	—	L bowl
Recruiting rank	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Defense	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Red-zone pass%	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
4th-down go%opp. territory	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

Postseason detail1976: Lost to Alabama 6-36 Bowl1978: Tied Arkansas 10-10 Bowl1981: Lost to Michigan 14-33 Bowl1982: Beat Michigan 24-14 Bowl1983: Beat Illinois 45-9 Bowl1984: Beat Miami 39-37 Bowl1985: Beat Iowa 45-28 Bowl1986: Beat BYU 31-10 Bowl1987: Beat Florida 20-16 Bowl1988: Beat Arkansas 17-3 Bowl1991: Beat Illinois 6-3 Bowl1993: Lost to Wisconsin 16-21 Bowl1995: Lost to Kansas 30-51 Bowl

57 NFL Draft picks: Wendell Tyler (1977), Rick Walker (1977), Frank Corral (1978), Levi Armstrong (1978), Manu Tuiasosopo (1979), Jerry Robinson (1979), James Owens (1979), Theotis Brown (1979) + 49 more

+6.4

151-74-8

1974–1975

Dick Vermeil Short tenure

15-5-3

1971–1973

Pepper Rodgers Steady

Pepper Rodgers held the Bruins at Power Program II for 3 seasons.

+3.0 pts over 3 seasons · top 20% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Scott Frost’s UCF run (2016–2017, 2025–now)

5th-best UCLA tenure of 13 by the numbers.

Followed Tommy Prothro (1965–1970) · succeeded by Dick Vermeil (1974–1975).

15 NFL Draft picks: Ed Galigher (1972), Dave Dalby (1972), Bob Christiansen (1972), Bob Pifferini (1972), Allan Ellis (1973), Bruce Walton (1973), Bill Sandifer (1974), Fred McNeill (1974) + 7 more

+3.0

19-12-1

1965–1970

Tommy Prothro Builder≈

Tommy Prothro raised the Bruins from National Program I to Power Program II.

+12.7 pts over 6 seasons · top 11% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Bret Bielema’s Illinois run (2021–now)

6th-best UCLA tenure of 13 by the numbers.

Followed Bill Barnes (1958–1964) · succeeded by Pepper Rodgers (1971–1973).

8 NFL Draft picks: Mel Farr (1967), Gary Beban (1968), Larry Agajanian (1969), Ron Copeland (1969), George Farmer (1970), Mike Ballou (1970), Wes Grant (1970), Greg Jones (1970)

+12.7

41-18-3

1958–1964

Bill Barnes Inheritor

Bill Barnes inherited UCLA at Power Program I and saw it slip to National Program I.

−14.5 pts over 7 seasons · bottom 1% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Butch Davis’s Miami run (1995–2000)

4th-best UCLA tenure of 13 by the numbers.

Followed Red Sanders (1949–1957) · succeeded by Tommy Prothro (1965–1970).

−14.5

31-34-3

1958

George Dickerson Short tenure

1-2

1949–1957

Red Sanders Builder≈

Red Sanders raised the Bruins from National Program I to Power Program I.

+21.7 pts over 9 seasons · top 2% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Dan Mullen’s Mississippi State run (2009–2017)

1st-best UCLA tenure of 13 by the numbers.

Followed Bert LaBrucherie (1945–1948) · succeeded by Bill Barnes (1958–1964).

+21.7

66-19-1

1945–1948

Bert LaBrucherie Builder

Bert LaBrucherie raised the Bruins from National Program III to National Program I.

+14.4 pts over 4 seasons · top 2% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Dennis Franchione’s TCU run (1998–2000)

10th-best UCLA tenure of 13 by the numbers.

Followed Babe Horrell (1939–1944) · succeeded by Red Sanders (1949–1957).

+14.4

23-16

1939–1944

Babe Horrell Steady

Babe Horrell slid the Bruins from National Program II to National Program III in 6 seasons.

−3.0 pts over 6 seasons · bottom 32% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Mike Bloomgren’s Rice run (2018–2024)

13th-best UCLA tenure of 13 by the numbers.

Followed William Spaulding (1936–1938) · succeeded by Bert LaBrucherie (1945–1948).

−3.0

24-31-6

1936–1938

William Spaulding Steady

William Spaulding held UCLA at National Program II for 3 seasons.

12th-best UCLA tenure of 13 by the numbers.

Succeeded by Babe Horrell (1939–1944).

National Program II

15-13-3