LOS ANGELES — As the majority of UCLA football’s roster acclimates to coach Bob Chesney and defensive coordinator Colin Hitschler’s defensive scheme, a select few players will act as conduits for their teammates.
A handful have played for Chesney before, like defensive linemen Aiden Gobaira and Darold DeNgohe. Both have completely different timelines connected to Chesney, but each is well-equipped to teach their new teammates Chesney’s defense.
Before Chesney came along, Gobaira’s college football career was in doubt.
“I was a guy who didn’t really have a path, didn’t think he was going to be able to play, and (Chesney) came to me and just gave me the opportunity.” Gobaira said at UCLA’s practice Saturday. “I can’t even imagine what I would be, where I would be without him. Like, that man has really done so much for me, and forever and always, I’ll be grateful.”
Gobaira exercised a redshirt his first season at Notre Dame, then before the 2023 season he injured his ACL, MCL and meniscus. He medically retired and sat out the 2024 season. But he returned to play at James Madison in 2025, then followed Chesney to UCLA.
He’s one of four defensive players that transferred directly from JMU to UCLA.
DeNgohe, on the other hand, had to find his way back to Chesney. He started his college football career at JMU, utilizing a redshirt in 2023 when Curt Cignetti was head coach of the Dukes. DeNgohe remained at JMU when Chesney came over from Holy Cross, and appeared in 12 games in 2024. He then transferred to play at Rutgers last season, before following Chesney to UCLA.
“It’s definitely been a journey, but everybody’s journey is different,” DeNgohe said Saturday. “I’m very grateful for the staff … I feel like a prodigal son. You know, they welcome me back with open arms, and it’s something that, you know, you can’t take for granted.”
DeNgohe, a Cameroon native, added that he and his family’s comfortability with Chesney and his staff was a significant reason he came to UCLA.
Now that they’re in Westwood, Gobaira and DeNgohe are imbuing the knowledge they have from past stops with Chesney onto their teammates.
A crucial trait of Chesney and Hitschler’s defense, as defensive back Rodrick Pleasant explained Friday, is aggression. The defensive line, including Gobaira and DeNgohe, will “set the tone” for that game plan to be carried out.
“We’re the motor, we’re the D-line, we’re the front line,” DeNgohe said. “So everything starts with us. So we try to go out there and set the standard. You know, and just try to be as physical as possible.”
“We have to be the most physical group out there, you know,” Gobaira said. “And that’s what we work out every day.”
The Bruins are seeking drastic improvement to their defensive line after a 2025 season in which they ranked 17th in the Big Ten in stopping the run (5.2 yards per carry) and 18th in sacks (10 total).
Gobaira and DeNgohe’s experience with Chesney and Hitschler offers a solid starting spot for that turnaround.