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Former NFL quarterback Derek Carr doesn’t need the money, apparently, which is useful because UCLA football isn’t paying him anyway. Move over Deion Sanders, college football has another former pro star enter its coaching ranks.
On Monday, the Bruins announced they hired the former Fresno State quarterback as a special advisor to head coach Bob Chesney. Carr will help Chesney and the offensive staff with game-planning and work with the quarterbacks. It is a volunteer role. So Carr collects no paycheck here. But the hire still fits a familiar pattern in college football, and that pattern is worth questioning.
Former Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr has joined the college football ranks. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Carr played 11 seasons in the NFL with the Las Vegas Raiders and the New Orleans Saints. He earned four Pro Bowl selections and remains the Raiders all-time leader in passing yards, passing touchdowns and completions. He announced his retirement in May 2025. So there are no questions about his resume.
However, the coaching resume doesn’t exist yet. This is Carr’s first coaching job of any kind. He has never called plays, never run a position room and never sat in a college staff meeting as a staffer. Chesney praised his leadership and football knowledge in the announcement. That experience and knowledge are legit, but knowing how to play quarterback and knowing how to teach it are two different skills. Hopefully, this new opportunity will afford Carr the hands-on experience to positively affect young student-athletes.
Carr has no ties to UCLA other than growing up a couple hours from Los Angeles. He played his college football at Fresno State. His link with the school runs through Bruins general manager Darrick Yray, who worked as an offensive assistant and assistant director of football operations at Fresno State from 2008 to 2014, overlapping with Carr’s time with the Bulldogs. Carr said he has known Yray a long time and respects his work. So this is a relationship hire, built on years of trust, not a national coaching search.
UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava will look to get his mojo back alongside Derek Carr
Carr’s main project will be Nico Iamaleava, UCLA’s presumptive starter. Iamaleava transferred from Tennessee before the 2025 season after a public NIL dispute. That tiff sort of derailed what was a really promising young collegiate career. Iamaleava was a big-time, five-star recruit and led the Volunteers to the College Football Playoff.
But in the here and now, Iamaleava passed for 1,928 yards with 13 touchdowns and 7 interceptions as the Bruins went 3-9 in 2025.
Can’t knock UCLA for wanting a former pro to help a talented quarterback who has not lived up to expectations. If Carr helps Iamaleava improve, this would be a big boost to both Carr and Chesney, who is also looking to make a name for himself after coming over from James Madison.
Programs keep adding former NFL players to their staffs, and the value often lies more in recruiting than in teaching. A famous name impresses 17-year-olds and their parents on a visit. Whether it’s Deion Sanders hiring a bunch of former players, like Marshall Faulk and Warren Sapp. Norfolk State hiring Michael Vick and Delaware State hiring DeSean Jackson.
Carr is a no-cost, high-profile addition for Chesney as he rebuilds a program that hasn’t been relevant in ages. Now entering their third year in the Big Ten, the Bruins must face Oregon, Michigan, USC and Illinois this fall. Expectations are slightly elevated as the over/under win total for UCLA is set at 6.5 wins.
For Carr, who already had a side hustle as a podcast host alongside his brother David Carr, this is now a second job that is not quite a job.
Continue reading...
On Monday, the Bruins announced they hired the former Fresno State quarterback as a special advisor to head coach Bob Chesney. Carr will help Chesney and the offensive staff with game-planning and work with the quarterbacks. It is a volunteer role. So Carr collects no paycheck here. But the hire still fits a familiar pattern in college football, and that pattern is worth questioning.
What Derek Carr will actually do at UCLA
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Former Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr has joined the college football ranks. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Carr played 11 seasons in the NFL with the Las Vegas Raiders and the New Orleans Saints. He earned four Pro Bowl selections and remains the Raiders all-time leader in passing yards, passing touchdowns and completions. He announced his retirement in May 2025. So there are no questions about his resume.
However, the coaching resume doesn’t exist yet. This is Carr’s first coaching job of any kind. He has never called plays, never run a position room and never sat in a college staff meeting as a staffer. Chesney praised his leadership and football knowledge in the announcement. That experience and knowledge are legit, but knowing how to play quarterback and knowing how to teach it are two different skills. Hopefully, this new opportunity will afford Carr the hands-on experience to positively affect young student-athletes.
The Fresno State connection that got Carr the job
Carr has no ties to UCLA other than growing up a couple hours from Los Angeles. He played his college football at Fresno State. His link with the school runs through Bruins general manager Darrick Yray, who worked as an offensive assistant and assistant director of football operations at Fresno State from 2008 to 2014, overlapping with Carr’s time with the Bulldogs. Carr said he has known Yray a long time and respects his work. So this is a relationship hire, built on years of trust, not a national coaching search.
Nico Iamaleava is the real reason this matters
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UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava will look to get his mojo back alongside Derek Carr
Carr’s main project will be Nico Iamaleava, UCLA’s presumptive starter. Iamaleava transferred from Tennessee before the 2025 season after a public NIL dispute. That tiff sort of derailed what was a really promising young collegiate career. Iamaleava was a big-time, five-star recruit and led the Volunteers to the College Football Playoff.
But in the here and now, Iamaleava passed for 1,928 yards with 13 touchdowns and 7 interceptions as the Bruins went 3-9 in 2025.
Can’t knock UCLA for wanting a former pro to help a talented quarterback who has not lived up to expectations. If Carr helps Iamaleava improve, this would be a big boost to both Carr and Chesney, who is also looking to make a name for himself after coming over from James Madison.
A recruiting tool wrapped in a coaching title
Programs keep adding former NFL players to their staffs, and the value often lies more in recruiting than in teaching. A famous name impresses 17-year-olds and their parents on a visit. Whether it’s Deion Sanders hiring a bunch of former players, like Marshall Faulk and Warren Sapp. Norfolk State hiring Michael Vick and Delaware State hiring DeSean Jackson.
Carr is a no-cost, high-profile addition for Chesney as he rebuilds a program that hasn’t been relevant in ages. Now entering their third year in the Big Ten, the Bruins must face Oregon, Michigan, USC and Illinois this fall. Expectations are slightly elevated as the over/under win total for UCLA is set at 6.5 wins.
For Carr, who already had a side hustle as a podcast host alongside his brother David Carr, this is now a second job that is not quite a job.
Continue reading...
