Some coaching hires take a while to materialize. Others take just a few days.
News isn’t even official yet that Bob Chesney is leaving James Madison to become the head coach at UCLA, and the Dukes may have already named his replacement. JMU is reportedly hiring former Florida and Louisiana head coach Billy Napier to lead the football program.
Here’s more about Napier:
Billy Napier’s Resume
Napier may not have had a successful tenure at Florida, but many believe he’s still a good coach.
During his four years with the Gators, Napier went 22-23 with bowl appearances in two out of three full seasons before being fired midway through this season.
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Before that, he went 40-12 at Louisiana from 2018-21. The Ragin’ Cajuns won the Sun Belt in 2021 and finished both of his last two seasons there ranked in the Associated Press Top 25.
Before that, he was an offensive coordinator at Arizona State in 2017, a wide receivers coach (2013-17) and offensive analyst (2011) at Alabama, a quarterbacks coach at Colorado State (2012), an OC and QBs coach (2009-10), tight ends coach (2006-08), and graduate assistant (2003-04) at Clemson, and a QBs coach at South Carolina State (2005).
Billy Napier’s Contract
Napier is reportedly agreeing to a five-year contract, though the financial details have not yet been widely publicized.
Chesney made $833,495 in total pay at JMU last year, according to USA Today.
Former JMU Head Coach
Bob Chesney has been JMU’s head coach the last two years. He went 20-5 overall.
The Dukes are set to compete in the Sun Belt Championship against Troy on Friday evening.
