Greg McElroy Urges Big Ten Team to Revolutionize Coaching Search with Unconventional ‘Moneyball’ Strategy—Could This Change Everything?

When you think about UCLA’s coaching carousel lately, it’s clear they’re not exactly spoilt for choice — but maybe that’s where the true opportunity lies. Forget chasing after headline-grabbing names with big price tags; what if the Bruins focused instead on squeezing every ounce of value from their next hire? That’s precisely the angle Greg McElroy champions, pointing toward James Madison’s Bob Chesney as the kind of coach who gets it done without breaking the bank. Chesney, a mastermind of building solid programs with limited resources, offers a refreshing alternative: a “Moneyball” style approach where smart scouting and culture reign supreme over flashy spending. With UCLA’s recent stumble under interim leadership and the looming move to SoFi Stadium, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Could Chesney’s calculated, efficient methods be the recipe UCLA needs to finally rise in the cutthroat Big Ten? It’s a compelling idea — one that’s more about savvy than star power. LEARN MORE

Greg McElroy calls on Big Ten team to us ‘Moneyball’ approach in coaching search originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Greg McElroy believes UCLA doesn’t need to rebuild with a big name. They need to maximize their value.

On the latest episode of Always College Football podcast, McElroy called James Madison head coach Bob Chesney the ideal fit for the Bruins’ head-coaching vacancy, praising his ability to “do more with less.”

UCLA fired DeShaun Foster three games into his second season after a bad tenure, handing the program to interim coach Tim Skipper. It’s been a true we rollercoaster and the next hire can’t be a miss.

Skipper delivered an early jolt, including an upset of then-No. 7 Penn State on Oct. 4, but the Bruins faded to 3-8 under his watch and remain headed for another coaching reset.

Chesney brings a track record of organizational structure and roster efficiency UCLA needs bad. Especially with future home games moving to SoFi Stadium next year.

McElroy labeled the potential hire as an“obvious” move, citing Chesney’s methodical talent evaluation and culture consistency. He compared the approach to a “Moneyball” model by prioritizing scouting leverage and a collective buy-in over raw spending power.

Chesney began his coaching career at Division III Salve Regina in 2010, climbing from Division II Assumption to FCS Holy Cross before taking the James Madison job in 2024. He replaced Curt Cignetti, who left for Indiana, and has guided the Dukes to a 19-5 record over the past two seasons. James Madison remains alive for a Group-of-5 CFP berth entering rivalry week.

UCLA is seeking a long-term edge in a crowded Big Ten. They want a headliner capable of immediate roster credibility. McElroy believes Chesney checks the most critical box of maximizing wins while staying under budgets.