Bob Chesney, the head football coach at James Madison University (JMU), is set to lead his team in the Sun Belt Conference championship game against Troy University this Friday. This comes just as he has accepted the position of head coach at UCLA.
Chesney held a virtual meeting with regional media on Monday morning to discuss preparations for the championship game. Following that, he engaged with local reporters in Harrisonburg for about 23 minutes. Just as he was wrapping up, news broke that he had agreed to take over at UCLA, as reported by On3″s Pete Nakos and ESPN”s Pete Thamel.
During both media interactions, Chesney addressed the swirling speculation regarding his potential moves to other schools, including Virginia Tech and Penn State. He emphasized the importance of focusing on the current team and its championship aspirations rather than future considerations. “I told the players this year”s team is this year”s team,” Chesney stated during the Zoom call. “Next year needs to be addressed when it”s appropriate. We”re in game week for a championship football game, and that”s what matters most right now.”
Reflecting on the season, Chesney drew a comparison to an hourglass, saying, “Eventually that final little grain of sand falls out, and that”s the completion of this year”s team. It”s important to know you gave it everything you had along the way.”
His candid approach has resonated with the players, as senior safety Jacob Thomas noted, “The noise is the noise, and you can”t really worry about it. We”re focused on doing our job this Friday, and whatever happens after that happens after that.” It was evident that both players and coaches are aware of the impending change.
Chesney”s transparency mirrors moments in sports history where coaches have addressed their teams before moving on, highlighting the need for honesty in such situations. The JMU and UCLA administrations have allowed him to coach in the championship game and potentially in the College Football Playoff if the Dukes qualify.
In a similar vein, the upcoming American Conference championship game between North Texas and Tulane also involves coaches who have accepted positions elsewhere. Jon Sumrall of Tulane is moving to Florida, while Eric Morris from North Texas is headed to Oklahoma State. The winner will have the opportunity to participate in the College Football Playoff.
This situation contrasts sharply with Lane Kiffin“s tenure at Ole Miss, where he requested to coach in the playoff after leaving for LSU. Ole Miss opted to part ways with Kiffin, promoting Pete Golding to lead the team as they prepared for the postseason.
Chesney”s move to UCLA comes after he built a strong record of 131-51 in his coaching career, including a remarkable 20-5 record at JMU over two seasons. The unprecedented coaching turnover in college football this year, with several prominent programs making changes, has made his departure seem inevitable.
UCLA”s football program, which has struggled to maintain competitiveness in the Big Ten, presents a significant challenge for Chesney. The school has not seen much success in recent years, with limited attendance at home games. The Bruins are also exploring options to relocate their games from the Rose Bowl to SoFi Stadium, home of the NFL”s Los Angeles Rams and Chargers.
While some might question his decision to leave JMU, the financial incentives and potential for advancement in his career are compelling. His transition echoes previous instances where coaches have moved on after achieving success at Group of Five programs, leading to opportunities at Power Four schools.
As the Sun Belt title game approaches, all eyes will be on Chesney and his team as they strive for victory, while the future looms just beyond the horizon.
