James Madison Overhauls Coaching Staff After Playoff Loss to Oregon

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James Madison University’s football program just hit a major turning point after a rough 51-34 loss to Oregon in the first round of the College Football Playoff. That game was the last hurrah for head coach Bob Chesney, who’s off to UCLA and taking some of his staff with him.

The Dukes aren’t wasting any time, though. They’ve named former Florida coach Billy Napier as the new head coach, and he’s already building out a fresh staff.

James Madison came into the playoff with a lot of momentum, riding a 12-2 record and plenty of optimism. But Oregon brought them crashing back to earth.

The Dukes trailed 34-6 at halftime. They tried to claw their way back, but the gap was just too wide, and they fell 51-34.

Chesney admitted the team gave it their all, but it just wasn’t enough to meet the standard they’d set all season.

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Key Moments in the Game

The Oregon matchup was a mixed bag for James Madison. There were flashes of solid play on offense, defense, and special teams, but those moments got lost in a sea of mistakes.

The first half was especially brutal. Oregon’s offense was relentless, and the Dukes couldn’t keep up.

Offensive Struggles: Only six points in the first half—pretty rough for a team that’s usually lighting up the scoreboard.
Defensive Lapses: Oregon made the most of some broken plays and piled up 34 points before halftime.
Special Teams Issues: Missed chances and a few costly errors on special teams just made things worse.

Coaching Changes: A New Era for James Madison Football

After the playoff loss, James Madison is staring down a big shift in leadership. Chesney’s headed to UCLA, and he’s taking both his offensive and defensive coordinators—Dean Kennedy and Colin Hitschler—with him.

The school moved quickly, bringing in Billy Napier, who didn’t waste any time getting to work on his staff.

Bob Chesney’s Legacy

Chesney leaves a pretty strong legacy at James Madison. He led the Dukes to consistent winning seasons and got them to the College Football Playoff.

His focus on developing players paid off, and he built a culture that valued hard work and high standards.

Successful Tenure: Consistent wins and playoff runs defined Chesney’s time.
Player Development: Plenty of his guys went on to bigger things in college and even the pros.
Program Culture: He pushed for a high bar in effort and results, and it showed.

Billy Napier’s Vision for the Future

Now, it’s Napier’s turn. He’s known for his strategy and knack for building talent, and he’s looking to keep the Dukes competitive while fixing a few weak spots.

First order of business? Get a solid coaching staff in place.

New Coaching Appointments

Napier’s already made some notable hires. CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz reported the first wave:

Aaron Pflugrad: He’ll handle quarterbacks. Pflugrad brings experience and a fresh set of ideas to the offense.
Jireh Wilson: Wilson steps in as edges coach, hoping to toughen up the defensive line.
Brandon Bailey: Bailey takes over as safeties coach, with a focus on tightening up the secondary.

Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities

The road ahead won’t be easy. The new staff needs to gel fast, and the team has to fix the issues that Oregon exposed.

Key Areas of Focus

Napier and his crew have a few priorities as they prep for next season:

Offensive Consistency: The offense can’t afford to disappear for a half again.
Defensive Resilience: The defense has to stay sharp and keep the pressure on all game long.
Special Teams Improvement: Special teams can’t be an afterthought—too many games are decided by those little moments.

Conclusion: A New Chapter for James Madison Football

Bob Chesney and his key staff have moved on, and that’s a huge shift for James Madison football. Now, with Billy Napier taking over, things feel a bit unpredictable—but also kind of exciting.

The program’s got a solid history, and there’s real hope Napier can push things even further. As the Dukes get ready for the next season, there’s this feeling in the air—maybe a mix of nerves and anticipation?

If you want more details about the coaching changes and what’s next for James Madison football, check out the full article on Newsweek.

Joe Hughes is the founder of CollegeNetWorth.com, a comprehensive resource on college athletes' earnings potential in the NIL era. Combining his passion for sports with expertise in collegiate athletics, Joe provides valuable insights for athletes, fans, and institutions navigating this new landscape.

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