Grading the hire: JMU welcomes 'Sun Belt Billy' back to conference

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Grading the hire: JMU welcomes 'Sun Belt Billy' back to conference

Blake Toppmeyer, USA TODAY · USA TODAY Sports

Mon, Dec 8, 2025 ·

2 min read

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While James Madison is preparing for its College Football Playoff first round game against Oregon , the Dukes' immediate future is accounted for.

Its future beyond Dec. 20, assuming the 21-point spread the Ducks are favored by holds, will include a new head coach.

Bob Chesney is headed to UCLA , looking to become the next JMU coach to turn around the fortunes of a floundering Big Ten program. (See, Curt Cignetti.)

Bob Chesney: Will new UCLA coach lead James Madison in CFP?

JMU wasted little time r eplacing Chesney with Billy Napier , who was fired after four years at Florida .

Here's how we grade the hire:

Braeden Wisloski #10 of the James Madison Dukes celebrates with teammate Jobi Malary #28 after a touchdown against against the Troy Trojans during the second quarter of the game at Bridgeforth Stadium on December 05, 2025 in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
(Hannah Foslien, Getty Images)

Wayne Knight #3 of the James Madison Dukes carries the ball after a reception defended by Kaleno Levine #5 of the Troy Trojans during the second quarter of the game at Bridgeforth Stadium on December 05, 2025 in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
(Hannah Foslien, Getty Images)

HARRISONBURG, VIRGINIA - DECEMBER 05: Tyler Brown #13 of the James Madison Dukes celebrates a tackle against the Troy Trojans during the first quarter of the game at Bridgeforth Stadium on December 05, 2025 in Harrisonburg, Virginia. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
(Hannah Foslien, Getty Images)

HARRISONBURG, VIRGINIA - DECEMBER 05: Alonza Barnett III #14 of the James Madison Dukes scrambles with the ball against the Troy Trojans during the first quarter of the game at Bridgeforth Stadium on December 05, 2025 in Harrisonburg, Virginia. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
(Hannah Foslien, Getty Images)

HARRISONBURG, VIRGINIA - DECEMBER 05: Braeden Wisloski #10 of the James Madison Dukes makes a catch for a touchdown defended by Justin Powe #6 of the Troy Trojans during the second quarter of the game at Bridgeforth Stadium on December 05, 2025 in Harrisonburg, Virginia. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
(Hannah Foslien, Getty Images)

HARRISONBURG, VIRGINIA - DECEMBER 05: Tae Meadows #22 of the Troy Trojans celebrates with teammate Matt Henry #67 after a touchdown against the James Madison Dukes during the second quarter of the game at Bridgeforth Stadium on December 05, 2025 in Harrisonburg, Virginia. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
(Hannah Foslien, Getty Images)

HARRISONBURG, VIRGINIA - DECEMBER 05: Tyler Brown #13 of the James Madison Dukes sacks Goose Crowder #9 of the Troy Trojans during the second quarter of the game at Bridgeforth Stadium on December 05, 2025 in Harrisonburg, Virginia. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
(Hannah Foslien, Getty Images)

HARRISONBURG, VIRGINIA - DECEMBER 05: Wayne Knight #3 of the James Madison Dukes carries the ball against the Troy Trojans during the first quarter of the game at Bridgeforth Stadium on December 05, 2025 in Harrisonburg, Virginia. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
(Hannah Foslien, Getty Images)

Grade: B

Sun Belt Billy.

Florida fans used the phrase as a dig about a coach they wanted fired. SEC rivals used the phrase to mock the Gators.

James Madison should get ahead of it. Embrace it. Brand it. Put it on T-shirts.

Sun Belt Billy's gone home. He should be welcomed back into the Sun Belt with open arms.

If James Madison is tired of having its coaches raided every few seasons by bigger fish, this hire is the way to provide longer-term stability.

More: Tulane, James Madison inclusion in CFP bracket compared to 'Make-A-Wish'

At the highest levels, Napier is damaged goods after an abysmal stint at Florida . What Power Four school is going to kick down JMU's door to plunder Napier's bundle of binders?

Napier, though, already has proven he can thrive in the Sun Belt. He won 40 games, plus two conference championships, in four seasons at Louisiana-Lafayette. That tenure aged well, even if Napier didn't. The Ragin' Cajuns lost their way after Napier's exit.

Napier's new bosses might want to consider demanding he have someone else call plays. Dabo Swinney fired Napier as his play-caller 15 years ago at Clemson, and Napier's refusal to give up play-calling as Florida's coach contributed to his downfall.

Napier can assemble a talented squad and build a structured program, but he's no sideline savant.

At Florida, Napier became a victim of the Peter Principle. That doesn't mean he won't thrive again in the Sun Belt, especially at a school that became a well-oiled Group of Five machine under predecessors Bob Chesney and Curt Cignetti.

Napier is a capable recruiter, and he called getting hired at James Madison an "incredible opportunity." Expect him to approach it as such. He's not someone who thinks he's too big for the Sun Belt. The son of a high school coach, Napier could have left UL-Lafayette sooner than he did.

With Napier back at a level where he fits best, James Madison can settle in behind a coach and maintain its perch in the Sun Belt.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: James Madison hires Billy Napier as next football coach. Expert grades move

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Grading the hire: JMU welcomes 'Sun Belt Billy' back to conference

James Madison still has CFP chance. See how the Dukes won the Sun Belt

James Madison still has CFP chance. See how the Dukes won the Sun Belt

James Madison still has CFP chance. See how the Dukes won the Sun Belt

James Madison still has CFP chance. See how the Dukes won the Sun Belt

James Madison still has CFP chance. See how the Dukes won the Sun Belt

James Madison still has CFP chance. See how the Dukes won the Sun Belt

James Madison still has CFP chance. See how the Dukes won the Sun Belt

James Madison still has CFP chance. See how the Dukes won the Sun Belt

James Madison still has CFP chance. See how the Dukes won the Sun Belt

Grade: B