AFC quarterback Derek Carr of the Las Vegas Raiders (4) throws the ball against the NFC during the Pro Bowl Games at Allegiant Stadium.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Derek Carr handed the Las Vegas Raiders nine seasons and four Pro Bowls. Now Carr will help work with incoming UCLA football head coach Bob Chesney and quarterback Nico Iamaleava. As a new staff member for the Bruins.
Carr landed a new post NFL-career job Monday by joining Chesney's first staff in Westwood. The school announced he'll serve as a special advisor to the former James Madison University coach.
UCLA insider for 247Sports Jack Savage added how Carr to UCLA came to be.
“Carr was out at practice this spring. And given his obvious connection to [general manager] Darrick Yray from their time together at Fresno State, this is cool,” Savage shared via X. “He'll assist with game-planning and work with the quarterbacks.”
That means Carr indeed will instill his knowledge into Iamaleava, who endured an up-and-down 2025 campaign following his high-profile Tennessee transfer. Although Iamaleava became sold on Chesney's vision at Westwood and chose to avoid re-entering the College Football Transfer Portal.
This becomes the first college football job for Carr, despite having no previous ties to UCLA. College football fans recall Carr delivering an illustrious career at Fresno State. Including winning the outright Mountain West Conference title in 2013 during his final season there. That Bulldogs team also featured a young Davante Adams rising as Carr's go-to wide receiver.
UCLA now keeps its Fresno State representation post Tim Skipper, as the 2025 interim coach also briefly was with Carr during the 2011 season with the Bulldogs. Except now Carr joins a program itching to become nationally relevant again amid some down years.