Coaching change

James Madison hires Billy Napier

James Madison hired Billy Napier as head coach. Wikipedia

Before

Previous head coachBob Chesney21-6

After

New head coachBilly Napierfrom Florida (2022-2025); Florida finished 4-8 in 2025

Where the program stood around the hire

Before: ranked 63rd of 136 in 2025.

76’228-374’2311-277’249-463’2512-2

Rank among the programs the Zeitgeist List scored that season, at season end; a lower number is better. How the Zeitgeist List works.

View as table
Program rank by season
SeasonRankWhere that sitsRecord
202276th of 131lower half8-3
202374th of 133lower half11-2
202477th of 134lower half9-4
202563rd of 136upper half12-2

More facts

  • Billy Napier succeeded Bob Chesney (21-6), who left on December 6, 2025. Wikipedia, dated December 6, 2025
  • Billy Napier came from Florida (2022-2025). Wikipedia

Latest source dated December 6, 2025.