Westwood’s quarterback room just got deeper.

UCLA football added former NFL play-caller Derek Carr to its offensive coaching staff Monday. Carr will serve as a volunteer special advisor to head coach Bob Chesney, assisting with game planning and working with the Bruins’ quarterbacks.

The four-time Pro Bowler was the No. 36 pick in the 2014 NFL Draft to the then-Oakland Raiders, for whom he is the franchise leader in passing yards, touchdowns and completions. Carr boasted a 63-79 record across nine seasons with the Raiders, combining for 35,222 passing yards and 217 touchdowns.

Carr last played in the NFL in 2024 for the New Orleans Saints, when he threw for 2,145 yards and 15 touchdowns to guide the Saints to a 5-5 record across the 10 games he played.

The Fresno local’s best season was 2016, when Carr guided the Raiders to a 12-4 record overall and a wild-card appearance, en route to a third-place MVP finish. 

“We are excited to welcome Derek to our program,” Chesney said in a Monday statement. “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.”

As a collegiate athlete, Carr competed for Fresno State from 2009 to 2013, winning Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year twice. In his final season, Carr threw for 5,082 yards and 50 touchdowns, leading the country in both metrics.

The two-time All-American logged 12,842 passing yards and 113 total touchdowns in college, throwing at a 66.7% completion rate.

UCLA football general manager Darrick Yray coached at Fresno State from 2008 to 2014, serving as an offensive assistant and assistant director of football operations, overlapping with Carr’s tenure as an athlete.

“I’ve known Darrick for a long time and have great respect for the work he’s done throughout his career,” Carr said in a written statement. “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.”

Carr will help coach a quarterback room headlined by senior Nico Iamaleava, who threw for 1,928 yards and 13 touchdowns on a 64.4% clip in his first season with the Bruins in 2025. The former Tennessee transfer helped lead the Volunteers to the first round of the College Football Playoffs the year before.

Chesney and his new squad will take their first official snap Sept. 5 against California.