LOS ANGELES — It’s official. UCLA football announced Saturday morning that it has hired Bob Chesney, James Madison coach, as its 20th head football coach in program history.

Chesney, 48, becomes the first sitting head coach that UCLA has hired since poaching Pepper Rodgers from Kansas in 1971. Friday night, Chesney led No. 25 James Madison to a Sun Belt Championship victory, defeating Troy 31-14 for its first conference title since joining the Sun Belt.

James Madison now has a 12-1 record and an outside shot at the College Football Playoff should Duke defeat Virginia in the ACC championship contest.

“UCLA is a very special place,” Chesney said in a release. “From its stellar academics, impactful alumni, geographic location and deep recruiting base, this is a program that can and WILL wi

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