James Madison won its first Sun Belt championship, and the good news kept on rolling. HC Bob Chesney has accepted the UCLA job, but will continue leading JMU. Even though the new HC, Billy Napier, is supposed to take the reins for the next season, he showed a glimpse of a three-time Super Bowl-winning head coach’s philosophy.

“The culture precedes positive results. Champions behave like champions before they’re champions; they have a winning standard of performance before they are winners. -Bill Walsh #GoDukes | @JMUFootball”.

Billy Napier was the top candidate to replace UCLA-bound Bob Chesney, as he holds a 62-35 career record. He was dismissed by the Florida Gators earlier this season, but JMU has offered him the chance, and the HC on X was quoting legendary head coach Bill Walsh’s famous thoughts on program culture.

The message reflects how Napier intends to bring the energy and philosophy of the three-time Super Bowl winner into the program as he builds toward sustained success. With the Dukes sitting at 12-1 this season, Napier already inherits a strong foundation to continue elevating the team.

Leaving James Madison was not an easy decision for Bob Chesney. In just two seasons, he produced a 21-5 overall record and guided the Dukes to their first-ever Sun Belt Championship. His debut year ended at 9-4, capped by a Boca Raton Bowl victory over WKU, marking the first bowl win in program history. Although the opportunity at UCLA was enticing, Chesney left James Madison fans with a heartfelt farewell message.

To my JMU family, as I bid farewell after two extraordinary seasons, I want to share my deepest gratitude for the journey that has culminated in Friday night’s championship,” Chesney said in a statement. “The opportunity to lead this program has been a true honor and privilege. Our players exhibited grit, heart, and relentless determination and have elevated this program to new heights. Every achievement has been earned, and I couldn’t be prouder of the legacy each one leaves behind.”

Chesney becomes the second JMU head coach in three years to depart for a Big Ten program. Before him, Curt Cignetti made the move to Indiana ahead of the 2024 season, where he found success.

How well does Billy Napier fit in at James Madison?

Billy Napier entered the 2025 coaching carousel after the Florida Gators dismissed him following a 3-4 start to the season. With his new opportunity at James Madison, he now has a chance to rebuild his legacy. Napier led Florida to an 8-5 record in 2024, the program’s first winning season since 2020. He also brings valuable Sun Belt experience from his tenure with the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns from 2018 to 2021.

During his four seasons at Louisiana, Napier delivered three consecutive 10-win campaigns, secured two AP Top 25 finishes, and compiled a 40-12 overall record. His team’s success was matched by individual recognition, as he earned two Sun Belt Coach of the Year awards.

Napier is no stranger to how the conference operates. In fact, with his SEC background, he may be able to bring additional structure and stability to an already strong James Madison program.

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