When JMU made it official that the Dukes had hired Bob Chesney of Holy Cross as their next head coach, the move makes sense in several ways.
Chesney has been considered for multiple other FBS openings, including Syracuse. And Chesney has the type of head coaching experience the Dukes were clearly searching for.
Here’s more information about JMU’s head coach.
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What’s JMU Head Coach Bob Chesney’s Salary?
Bob Chesney signed a five-year deal with a base salary of $550,000 per year with other incentives. Former JMU head coach Curt Cignetti made $677,000 in total pay in 2023, according to USA Today.
Bob Chesney Coaching History
| Year | Team | Record |
| 2023 | Holy Cross | 7-4 |
| 2022 | Holy Cross | 12-1 |
| 2021 | Holy Cross | 10-3 |
| 2020 | Holy Cross | 3-1 |
| 2019 | Holy Cross | 7-6 |
| 2018 | Holy Cross | 5-6 |
| 2017 | Assumption | 11-2 |
| 2016 | Assumption | 9-3 |
| 2015 | Assumption | 11-2 |
| 2014 | Assumption | 7-4 |
| 2013 | Assumption | 6-5 |
| 2012 | Salve Regina | 9-2 |
| 2011 | Salve Regina | 8-3 |
| 2010 | Salve Regina | 6-4 |
What’s JMU Head Coach Bob Chesney’s Record?
Bob Chesney is 0-0 in the FBS as a head coach. He’s 111-46 as a head coach regardless of division.
How Old Is JMU Head Coach Bob Chesney?
Bob Chesney is 46 years old.
JMU Head Coach Bob Chesney’s Background
Chesney has been the head coach at Holy Cross since 2018. The Crusaders haven’t had a losing season since his first year there.
In fact, Holy Cross had been in the FCS playoffs every year since 2019 before this past season. The Crusaders reached the second round of the playoffs in 2021 and got to the quarterfinals in 2022, finishing with a 12-1 overall record. Holy Cross was 7-4 in 2023.
Chesney has been the Patriot League Coach of the Year three times, leading the program to five conference championships.
Before Holy Cross, he was a head coach at the Division II level at Assumption College and at the Division III level at Salve Regina University.
While he’s not a Power Five assistant like some JMU fans wanted, there’s no doubt Chesney knows how to win.
