Former NFL quarterback Derek Carr has joined UCLA’s coaching staff as a special advisor to head coach Bob Chesney. The 35-year-old four-time Pro Bowler will assist with offensive game-planning and work directly with the Bruins’ quarterbacks ahead of the team’s September season opener.
Derek Carr Returns to Football in Westwood Coaching Role
Derek Carr is back in football, stepping off the field and onto the sidelines as a volunteer special advisor for the UCLA Bruins football program. The high-profile addition brings an 11-year NFL veteran into the fold to assist head coach Bob Chesney and his offensive staff with game planning, strategy, and quarterback development.
Derek Carr joins UCLA as a special advisor to
Carr retired from the NFL in May 2025 following a distinguished professional career that included stints with the Oakland and Las Vegas Raiders and the New Orleans Saints. Though his playing days ended due to a significant shoulder injury sustained during the 2024 season, the veteran passer now brings his extensive experience to the collegiate ranks.
Photo: abc30.com
“We are excited to welcome Derek to our program. He has played the quarterback position at a high level for more than a decade, and his experience, leadership and football knowledge will be an incredible resource for our coaching staff and student-athletes. What stands out most is his passion for the game and his commitment to developing young people. Derek will have a tremendous impact on our players and is a great addition to our program.”
Bob Chesney, Angelo M. Mazzone III UCLA Head Football Coach, via UCLA Athletics
Fresno State Ties and General Manager Darrick Yray
Although Carr spent his collegiate career starring at Fresno State rather than in Westwood, a key administrative connection paved the way for his arrival at UCLA. Bruins General Manager Darrick Yray began his career as an offensive assistant and assistant director of football operations at Fresno State, serving from 2008-14 during Carr’s collegiate career with the Bulldogs.
UCLA Football Adds Derek Carr as Special Advisor to
That enduring professional relationship ultimately bridged the gap to Los Angeles, where Carr accepted his first major coaching role.
“I’ve known Darrick for a long time and have great respect for the work he’s done throughout his career. The opportunity to help Coach Chesney, the staff and the quarterbacks at UCLA was one that really excited me. I’m looking forward to sharing my experiences and helping support the program in any way I can.”
Derek Carr, Special Advisor to Head Coach, via UCLA’s announcement
Working With the Quarterbacks and Rebuilding the Bruins
In his new capacity, Carr will work with UCLA’s quarterbacks, including standout quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who was ranked 25th in The Athletic’s 2026 College Football Quarterback Tiers.
Ex-Raiders QB Derek Carr joins UCLA's coaching staff as
Chesney and his staff are in their first season in Westwood after he was hired away from James Madison last December.
Photo: uclabruins.com
As a player, Carr was a second-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft by the then-Oakland Raiders, for whom he is the franchise leader in passing yards, touchdowns, and completions. He boasted a 63-79 record across nine seasons with the Raiders, combining for 35,222 passing yards and 217 touchdowns, and guided the team to a 12-4 record overall and a wild-card appearance in 2016 en route to a third-place MVP finish. He later played for the New Orleans Saints in 2024, throwing for 2,145 yards and 15 touchdowns across 10 games to guide the Saints to a 5-5 record. Across his 11-year career, he passed for 41,425 yards and 257 touchdowns.
Former Raiders QB Derek Carr joining UCLA coaching staff
While dealing with shoulder troubles that have since healed, Carr retired a few months before the 2025 season, though he landed back on the radar last September when he said he would consider a comeback. The Bengals and Colts looked into Carr during the season when their starting QBs were injured, and any team interested in adding Carr as a player would have to strike a deal with the Saints, who still hold his rights.
The Bruins open their season with Carr now supporting the program from the sidelines.
Daniel Richardson is the Editor-in-Chief of Archysport, where he leads the editorial team and oversees all published content across nine sport verticals. With over 15 years in sports journalism, Daniel has reported from the FIFA World Cup, the Olympic Games, NFL Super Bowls, NBA Finals, and Grand Slam tennis tournaments. He previously served as Senior Sports Editor at Reuters and holds a Master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University. Recognized by the Sports Journalists' Association for excellence in reporting, Daniel is a member of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS). His editorial philosophy centers on accuracy, depth, and fair coverage — ensuring every story published on Archysport meets the highest standards of sports journalism.
