UCLA’s Football Spending Spree Is Already Paying Off
UCLA is 4–0 heading into a high-profile matchup vs. Oregon.
UCLA's 4-0 start in football has drawn attention from the college football community. Oregon coach Dan Lanning likened the Bruins to last year's national champions, Indiana, suggesting the team has similar talent. First-year Bruins coach Bob Chesney, who came from James Madison, is employing a similar strategy to Indiana's success.
Under Chesney's leadership, UCLA has achieved a No. 21 ranking. The team's turnaround is largely attributed to increased spending on the coaching staff. While UCLA's entire athletic department budget was $32.6 million in 2025, football alone accounted for $9.5 million. Recently, UCLA played its first ranked vs. ranked game since 2023 against No. 13 Oregon.
This match holds significant playoff implications for both teams. UCLA has surpassed the $34.1 million league median for donor contributions, thanks to substantial donations from Lawrence Layne and Angelo Mazzone III. The football program now boasts 65 employees, a 50% increase from the previous year, and a 2027 recruiting class ranked 17th nationally.
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