UCLA Taps Derek Carr as Special Advisor to Head Coach Bob Chesney
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Bruins have made a significant move in their quest to revive their football program, announcing the hiring of retired NFL quarterback Derek Carr as a special advisor to head coach Bob Chesney.
Carr, who played 11 seasons in the NFL for both the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders and New Orleans Saints, will help Chesney and the offensive staff with game-planning and work with UCLA's quarterbacks.
Carr's experience and leadership will be an incredible resource for the Bruins, according to Chesney. "We are excited to welcome Derek to our program," Chesney said. "He has played the quarterback position at a high level for more than a decade and his experience, leadership and football knowledge will be an incredible resource for our coaching staff and student-athletes."
The hiring of Carr is a significant investment in the development of UCLA's lead quarterback, Nico Iamaleava, who will be heading into his second season in Westwood. Iamaleava, a 21-year-old quarterback with raw talent and athleticism, will have the opportunity to learn from one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the game.
Carr has a proven track record of success, earning four Pro-Bowl selections in his career and totaling over 41,000 career passing yards and 257 career touchdowns. He will undoubtedly be a valuable asset to the Bruins, helping to develop Iamaleava and the rest of the team.
The addition of Carr is the latest step in the Bruins' effort to rebuild their program. Under Chesney's leadership, the team has been aggressively recruiting in both the transfer portal and for freshman recruits, and the hiring of Carr is a testament to the team's commitment to improving.
Carr has a personal connection to one member of the Bruins coaching staff, general manager Darrick Yray, who served as an offensive assistant and assistant director of football operations for Fresno State from 2008-14, overlapping with Carr's time as a student-athlete with the Bulldogs from 2009-13.
Carr expressed his excitement about joining the Bruins, saying, "I've known Darrick for a long time and have great respect for the work he's done throughout his career. The opportunity to help Coach Chesney, the staff and the quarterbacks at UCLA was one that really excited me."
The Bruins' new look will undoubtedly make them a serious threat in the Big 10. With Carr's presence, they will have a wealth of resources at their disposal to take their game to the next level.
UCLA is reeling from back-to-back losing seasons, but this new program helmed by Chesney is fighting hard to correct that direction before the first snap of the season. The hiring of Carr is a significant move that should go a long way in developing into a team that can be serious threats in the Big 10.
Source: Yahoo Sports