Billy Napier is making a return to the Sun Belt Conference, having been hired by James Madison to fill the coaching position vacated by Bob Chesney, as confirmed by sources close to the situation. Chesney is set to transition to UCLA following the Dukes’ postseason campaign, with James Madison preparing to face Troy in the Sun Belt Championship Game. The Dukes are also in contention for the College Football Playoff, currently ranked No. 25.
Following his dismissal from Florida in October, after a challenging 3-4 start to the 2025 season, Napier quickly found a new opportunity. The Gators had entered the season at No. 15 in the AP Top 25 with hopes of competing for a College Football Playoff spot, especially after a strong finish in the previous year and the return of key players like quarterback DJ Lagway and offensive lineman Jake Slaughter. Unfortunately, an upset loss to South Florida derailed Florida’s season, leading to a three-game losing streak that ultimately cost Napier his position. Over four seasons with the Gators, he managed a 22-23 record and only one bowl victory, failing to finish above .500 in conference play.
Prior to his time at Florida, Napier had a successful tenure at Louisiana from 2018 to 2021, where he built a reputation as one of the top coaches in the Sun Belt. He guided the Ragin’ Cajuns to four consecutive Sun Belt West division titles and clinched the conference championship twice between 2020 and 2021. Under his leadership, Louisiana consistently achieved double-digit wins and maintained a remarkable 22-2 record in the Sun Belt.
James Madison is expected to benefit from Napier’s extensive experience and accomplishments within the Sun Belt. The program has solidified its status as one of the standout teams in the Group of Five since moving from FCS to FBS in 2022. Under former coach Curt Cignetti, the Dukes enjoyed a robust competitive phase, including an 8-3 record in their inaugural FBS season followed by an impressive 11-1 season leading to an Armed Forces Bowl bid. Cignetti has since moved on to Indiana, where he has continued his success.
Chesney, who followed Cignetti, has also left a mark on JMU with a strong season that included an 11-1 record and an unbeaten run in Sun Belt play. His successes have earned him an opportunity to coach at UCLA. With Napier at the helm, James Madison is poised to strive for continued excellence in a competitive conference landscape, aiming to build on its recent achievements and maintain its trajectory as a premier program. This transition could mark a new chapter for both Napier and James Madison as they seek to further establish the Dukes as a formidable force in college football.