How UCLA football salvaged its recruiting class, giving Bob Chesney an early boost

"Once they had answered every call and met with athletic department administrators and the remaining coaches to devise a framework for a recruiting process that had just become infinitely more complicated, Darlington and assistant general manager Steven Price started writing on a whiteboard inside the Wasserman Football Center. Across three columns, the longtime former NFL scouts detailed a plan for the retention of committed high school prospects, the rebuilding of the recruiting class and the ways they would implement changes."

"As he glanced at that same whiteboard late last week, some 2½ months later, Darlington beamed. "I'm looking at the implementation column," he said, "and it's nothing but red check marks. That means we completed that task." Along the way, they salvaged a recruiting class ahead of the early signing period that starts Wednesday and may have jump-started the rebuilding efforts of Bob Chesney, the James Madison coach who is expected to be formally announced as Foster's successor later this week."

"Pulling this thing together sometimes meant just listening to an upset player or parent. Honesty about the uncertainty became a guiding principle. Still, there were times when a phrase about prioritization written on another whiteboard in Darlington's office - "Eat the elephant one bite at a time" - might have seemed to mock him. This week, Darlington and his staff can finally exhale, if only for a moment."

UCLA's recruiting operation encountered immediate disruption after DeShaun Foster's dismissal, with multiple commitments collapsing and distressed calls from parents. Khary Darlington and assistant general manager Steven Price coordinated with administrators and coaches to create a structured recovery plan, using a three-column whiteboard to target retention, rebuilding and implementation steps. Over roughly 2½ months the staff completed implementation tasks, salvaged key commitments ahead of the early signing period and emphasized honest communication with recruits and families. The effort helped stabilize the class and coincided with preparations for Bob Chesney to be named Foster's successor.

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