Some coaching searches take a while to materialize. Others take just a few days.
News wasn’t even official yet that Bob Chesney was leaving James Madison to become the head coach at UCLA, but the Dukes had already named his replacement. JMU hired former Florida and Louisiana head coach Billy Napier to lead the football program.
The Dukes hope he can help them repeat as Sun Belt champions after winning the league title in 2025. Here’s more about Napier:
What’s JMU Head Coach Billy Napier’s Salary?
Billy Napier signed a five-year deal and reportedly will be guaranteed to make $1.05 million each year. Previous JMU head coach Bob Chesney made $833,000 last year, according to USA Today.
Billy Napier’s Coaching History
| Years | Team | Position |
| 2026-present | JMU | HC |
| 2022-25 | Florida | HC |
| 2018-21 | Louisiana | HC |
| 2017 | Arizona State | OC |
| 2013-17 | Alabama | WRs |
| 2012 | Colorado State | QBs |
| 2011 | Alabama | Off. Analyst |
| 2009-10 | Clemson | OC/QBs |
| 2006-08 | Clemson | TEs/Recruiting |
| 2005 | South Carolina St. | QBs |
| 2003-04 | Clemson | GA |
What’s JMU Head Coach Billy Napier’s Record?
Billy Napier is 62-35 in the FBS as a head coach. He went 22-23 in four seasons at Florida and 40-12 in four years at Louisiana. He’s 3-2 in bowl games.
How Old Is JMU Head Coach Billy Napier?
Napier is 47 years old.
JMU Head Coach Billy Napier’s Background
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 the 2025 season.
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).
