### James Madison University Welcomes Billy Napier as New Head Football Coach Following Bob Chesney's Departure - James Madison University (JMU) has officially hired Billy Napier, the former head coach of the Florida Gators, to replace Bob Chesney, who is leaving to take the head coaching position at UCLA. Napier's hiring comes after a tumultuous tenure at Florida, where he posted a record of 22-23 over four seasons before being dismissed on October 19, 2025. Despite his struggles in the SEC, Napier previously enjoyed success in the Sun Belt Conference with Louisiana, where he led the team to a 40-12 record and multiple conference titles. Chesney, who led JMU to a 12-1 record and a Sun Belt Conference championship, will remain with the Dukes to coach them in the College Football Playoff if they qualify for the 12-team field [https://apnews.com/article/jmu-napier-college-football-8ecc5ddf0b3d04b2c442713ca26188f5][https://www.newsday.com/sports/college/college-football/jmu-napier-college-football-q00273]. ### Overview of the Coaching Transition at JMU 1. **Coaching Change**: Billy Napier replaces Bob Chesney at JMU. 2. **Chesney's Departure**: Chesney is moving to UCLA after a successful stint at JMU. 3. **Napier's Background**: Formerly at Florida, Napier has a strong record in the Sun Belt. 4. **Immediate Future**: Chesney will coach JMU in the College Football Playoff if they qualify. ### Key Details Surrounding the Coaching Change - **Bob Chesney's Record**: Chesney achieved a 20-5 record in two seasons at JMU, culminating in a conference championship [https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/47204903/sources-james-madison-set-hire-ex-florida-coach-billy-napier]. - **Billy Napier's Previous Success**: At Louisiana, Napier won two Sun Belt titles and was recognized as the Sun Belt Coach of the Year in 2019 and 2021 [https://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/sun_belt_billy_former_gators_hc_napier_returns_to_conference_with_hiring_at_jmu/s1_16535_43161679]. - **Contract Details**: Napier is reportedly signing a five-year deal with JMU [https://www.thescore.com/ncaaf/news/3418836/report-napier-finalizing-5-year-deal-with-james-madison]. ### Conclusion: A New Era for JMU Football - **Transitioning Leadership**: JMU is entering a new chapter with Billy Napier at the helm, aiming to build on the success established by Bob Chesney. - **Expectations for Napier**: Given his previous achievements in the Sun Belt, there are high hopes for Napier to replicate that success at JMU, especially as the Dukes look to solidify their position in the College Football Playoff. - **Next Steps**: The immediate focus will be on the upcoming playoff game, with Napier's long-term vision for the program expected to unfold in the 2026 season. 1. **Hiring Announcement**: JMU hires Napier to replace Chesney. 2. **Chesney's Legacy**: A successful tenure at JMU with a strong record. 3. **Napier's Experience**: A mix of SEC challenges and Sun Belt success. 4. **Future Outlook**: Anticipation for Napier's impact on the program moving forward. This coaching change marks a significant moment for JMU football, as they aim to maintain their competitive edge in college football under new leadership [https://rocktownnow.com/news/218812-jmu-officially-signs-billy-napier-as-new-head-football-coach].