10
Loading video...
By Sam Garcia
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
After a disastrous 0-4 start and a mid-season coaching change in his first season at UCLA, it would have made sense for Nico Iamaleava to transfer out of the program. But the Bruins' quarterback never planned on leaving UCLA.
UCLA head coach Bob Chesney told reporters at Big Ten Media Day on Wednesday that he did not need to convince Iamaleava to stay out of the transfer portal and stick with UCLA.
"It started with retaining Nico, obviously, when we got here," Chesney said. "I think for Nico, and he can speak on you know on his own behalf, but I'll you know just to add a little color to it, he did not want to go anywhere. This is where he wanted to be. This is where he wanted to play."
Read More on NCAA
...
Iamaleava Continues to Be UCLA's Biggest Leader
Last season, Iamaleava helped UCLA win three straight games, including a shocking upset against Penn State on Oct. 4. And now, he is back and still considered the top leader on UCLA's squad.
Chesney said Iamaleava received unanimous votes from his teammates to be a leader for this season. Former interim head coach Tim Skipper, who led UCLA after it fired DeShaun Foster last season, also previously told reporters Iamaleava received the most votes to be captain last season.
"I just love the growth he's had as a leader," Chesney said. "To watch him just grow and run with this and flourish at this moment as the leader, he was unanimously voted the leader of our football team when we did voted our leadership council. He was at the top by a large margin, and that just speaks to the way he carries himself on a day-to-day basis. We're going to need him to be really, really good on Saturdays as well."
There is a lot on the season, as UCLA enters a new era under Chesney.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines