IRVINE — Bob Chesney wanted to create an “away game” atmosphere, an authentic bonding experience for a UCLA football team consisting of 63 newcomers.
So he scoured Orange County, an area, he said, ripe with Bruins supporters, for a venue fit for UCLA to practice and interact with alumni. He settled on Great Park in Irvine, a vast sports complex, where U.S. Soccer practiced during the World Cup.
For the week of August 10-14, UCLA will take residency at an Orange County hotel, practice at Great Park and frolic throughout the surrounding area as it continues to prepare for the 2026 college football season.
“I like being out here,” Chesney said Tuesday. “I think this was a big part of it, was us just continuing to build connectivity, reteach our systems, and then just continue to develop on a day-to-day basis.”
UCLA held practice Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday, the Bruins will take a day off, then practice twice more before returning to Westwood next week. Players are encouraged to lean into the chemistry-building aspect of the excursion, while UCLA also intends to engage with its Orange County fans.
The actual contents of Tuesday’s practice didn’t alter much, but the urgency was increased. During a simple get-off drill, safeties coach Anthony DiMichele held Dante Lovett and Drew Spinogatti accountable for lining up out of position.
Defensive tackle Jordan Davis was held out of practice because of dehydration. Offensive lineman Riley Robell and wide receiver Aidan Mizell didn’t practice out of precaution, Chesney said, explaining he didn’t want to risk anything ahead of a true off day.
For that off day, Chesney said, players will sleep in, then the team will head to the beach for a cookout. When that’s done, the players are free to “hang out” as they please.
“There’s no meetings, there’s nothing,” Chesney said. “There’ll be a lot of time to get a chance to spend together.”
Chesney held camps to build camaraderie during his time at James Madison and Holy Cross, so he has these logistics down to a science. Back at Saturday’s practice, defensive tackle Darold DeNgohe, who played for Chesney before at JMU, emphasized the value Chesney places on family. That is what these camps and outings are meant to improve.
Derek Carr on board
Adding to UCLA football’s family, officially, is former NFL quarterback Derek Carr. The former Raiders and Saints standout was announced as a special advisor to the head coach Monday. His connection to the Bruins’ staff comes from sharing a dorm hall with UCLA general manager Derrick Yray while they attended Fresno State.
According to Chesney, Carr has been attending UCLA football practices since spring camp. Carr’s presence will be sporadic, Chesney explained, as he manages life as a father with a newborn child and begins to dip his toe in the coaching waters. He’ll be on the sideline with the Bruins at games. At practice, he’ll mainly work with the quarterbacks.
“This ability to communicate with the quarterback in real time and in hostile environments is what he brings,” Chesney said. “The pressure that you feel back there as a quarterback – I think it’s pretty awesome to hear a different guy’s perspective that’s done it a very long time at the highest level.”
“I’m here just as a resource to help,” Carr said on his podcast “Home Grown with David & Derek Carr.” “I’m not here to overstep a coach, quarterbacks coach, offensive coordinator. I’m just here as an old veteran in the room.”
Carr will specifically lend a boost to UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava.
“Nico, man, this guy – whoever gets his hands on him at the next level. Woohoo!” Carr said on the podcast. “He walks in 6-6, 230 pounds … we go out to practice. We’re on the right hash. He throws a cover-0, deep out to the field, the ball doesn’t leave eye height. He just handed it to the kid.”
Iamaleava, Carr said, will text him questions.
“He is 100% coachable,” Carr said. “He’s the greatest kid.”
It’s another note of positivity in an offseason that’s given Iamaleava stability. Carr’s presence will be consistent while UCLA is in Irvine as he has a place out in Newport, Chesney said.