Regardless of how one felt about him as a football player, it was rather obvious that Derek Carr would fare just fine once his days as an NFL quarterback were over. The long-time Las Vegas Raiders quarterback officially called it quits early last year, but he couldn't stay away from the game very long.
After doing some analyst work and starting a football podcast with his brother, David, Derek Carr actually used that platform to talk about his desire to coach. And although he constantly entertains the idea of a return to playing, Carr has also made it clear that he would love to coach.
He didn't land a job on Klint Kubiak's Las Vegas staff, but Carr has now accepted his first college gig: Special advisor to UCLA HC Bob Chesney. The school announced that "Carr will assist Chesney and the Bruins' offensive staff with game-planning strategy while also working with UCLA's quarterbacks."
Congrats, Derek!
Former Raiders QB Derek Carr lands coaching role for UCLA Bruins football
On the Carr brothers' Home Grown Podcast, Derek addressed his new occupation and why he wanted the role.
"I'm taking my talents to Southern California," Carr joked. "I want to coach. I've made that abundantly clear to the people closest to me. ... It's in my heart to take what I have accumulated and give it to the next generation. I passionately want to see others do better than me, and I want to give them all the tools. ... I am going to be coaching at UCLA [as a] special advisor to the head coach."
Carr is obviously qualified to advise a college head coach and work with young quarterbacks, but this seemingly all came together because the Bruins' general manager, Darrick Yray, was an offensive assistant and assistant director of football operations at Fresno State during Carr's Bulldogs career.
"I've known Darrick for a long time and have great respect for the work he's done throughout his career," Carr said. "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."
At UCLA, Carr will work intimately with Nico Iamaleava, a polarizing college prospect who surely has his eyes fixated on the 2027 NFL Draft. The Bruins were just 3-9 last season, so it will be interesting to see what kind of impact Chesney and Carr, among many others, can make in Westwood.
Of course, though, Carr did his typical thing, where he made mention of just how many options he had, both as a coach and to potentially return to playing.
"I had different feelers out and different opportunities and people asking, 'Hey, do you want to' -- so many friends, so many people that were like 'NFL, college. Hey, man, we would love for you to do this.'"
"I had six teams come with different [pitches]. Like, 'Hey, we need you to come be our quarterback. Here's what it looks like. Here's our plan," Carr said. "Two of them were intriguing. Didn't work out for one reason and another. Hope the best for them. Hope the best for all parties. It just wasn't, like I said, I was like, 'I'll do it, but it's got to be like this sweet perfect [situation].' ... So, I'm not playing. ... I am coaching."
Well, good luck, Derek, on your return to the sidelines!
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