Bill Simmons: Bob Chesney contract extension 'in the works' at UCLA

Last week, Bob Chesney made his love for UCLA clear when asked about fans worried he could leave as the coaching carousel starts to spin. But according to Bill Simmons, the school is preparing to make sure Chesney remains in Westwood. On the latest episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast on Monday, Simmons said UCLA is preparing an extension for Chesney. The Bruins are in the midst of an 8-0 start after last week’s win over Nevada and continue to move up the rankings in Chesney’s first year as head coach. [ $19.99 gets you a FULL year of On3 | Rivals national coverage ] But with more jobs coming open and the coaching carousel getting underway, Simmons sees concerns from UCLA fans about whether someone could try to hire Chesney, given the quick turnaround. However, he made clear the school is gearing up to ensure he stays put. “UCLA’s going to extend Bob Chesney,” Simmons said. “That’s in the works. … The Bob Chesney extension will happen. All the UCLA fans are starting to panic that because nobody went to the last game and the Rose Bowl’s not packed enough, some big university’s going to scoop him or an NFL team. He’s not leaving.” Watch on Fubo (Try for Free) Chesney made UCLA history as the first coach to win his first five games, and he hasn’t stopped there. The Bruins sit alone in first place in the Big Ten standings, a half-game ahead of second-place Indiana heading into Week 10. Bob Chesney ‘very excited about our future’ at UCLA Last week, ahead of the matchup against Nevada, Bob Chesney was asked what his message would be to fans who might be worried he’ll leave. That’s when he cited the vision he has for UCLA and how happy he and his family are in Westwood. “I’ve said it before, this is the greatest place in the world to play football and it’s the greatest place in the world to coach football,” Chesney said. “I’m extremely blessed to be here. My family loves it here. I love it here. … I truly love it. “The vision that I have for this place, as an outsider looking in, is all things that is being met with that same energy. A plan of moving forward, an idea of chasing greatness and not being afraid to consider this big-time college football and start building a program that way. Very excited about our future and how things roll.”