Exclusive | How Bob Chesneys father uses Mentos to make UCLA football a family

The bear of a man with a cartoon bear on his T-shirt reading “Out of Hibernation” ambled across the football practice field.A white wrap around his right knee, a bit of a limp in his stride, Bob Chesney didn’t let any limitations prevent him from having a discernible spring in his step.His namesake son is about to make his coaching debut at UCLA.Clapping as he walked, the elder Chesney – who goes by Senior – said a few encouraging words to one player in the stretching line, then fist-bumped another.This is what he does now, a volunteer defensive line coach keeping everyone upbeat.He’s always ready with a saying – “Monday Morning Madness” is a favorite – or a motivational prank, once even wearing the helmet of an opponent during a team meeting at one of his son’s previous coaching stops to fire up players.“He’s really there to help coach their spirit and their heart,” the younger Bob Chesney told The California Post, “and he does a great job of it.”Sometimes he’ll put packs of Mentos or gummy bears in his pocket, tossing them to players while telling them to have a “power pill.” He’s a voice of reassurance to players having a bad day, as well as a source of inspiration to anyone within earshot.“Some days, you know, it gets tough, it’s like you’re a little sluggish, a little tired,” defensive lineman Darold DeNgohe said, “but Senior has always got the energy.”Before his son’s second-to-last game at James Madison, Senior told edge rusher Sahir West to show everybody why he was the Sun Belt Conference’s Freshman of the Year.West went on to single-handledly engineer the fall of Troy with 5½ tackles for loss, three sacks and a forced fumble.“They couldn’t block him,” Senior said.Relentlessness is a trait the elder Chesney instilled in his son before he could throw a football.Often rising before dawn in his hometown of Kulpmont, Pa., little Bobby would make his bed and do homework – even in the summer – be...