Klatt says UCLA’s Chesney is ahead of expectations as Michigan and Penn State struggle
The FOX Sports analyst’s review through five weeks of the 2025 season puts Bob Chesney’s UCLA start above expectations, while Kyle Whittingham and Matt Campbell are below them.
FOX Sports analyst Joel Klatt has rated first-year coaches against expectations through five weeks of the 2025 college football season, with UCLA’s Bob Chesney earning the strongest assessment among the coaches covered.
UCLA began 4–0 overall and 2–0 in conference play, its first such start since the 2022 season. Klatt said Chesney had exceeded expectations in his first year leading a Power Four programme.
Klatt placed Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham below expectations. He said the team’s aim of contending for a playoff spot and returning to the Big Ten’s top tier was realistic, while noting uncertainty over the offence under new coordinator Jason Beck and quarterback Bryce Underwood.
Michigan’s defence raised fewer questions for Klatt, but he said the team was using its bye week to work out what the offence should look like and how it could succeed.
Penn State coach Matt Campbell was also below expectations in Klatt’s assessment. He cited a road loss to Northwestern and what he described as poor play over the previous two weeks, saying the programme appeared to need more rebuilding than anticipated.
Klatt’s comments are commentary on performance, not an official evaluation by the teams. The supplied report ends partway through his assessment of Campbell.
