Billy Napier reveals decision not to call plays at James Madison

Just months after being fired from Florida following the program’s 23-21 victory over Mississippi State on Oct. 18, head coach Billy Napier has landed on his feet. It was announced that James Madison head coach Bob Chesney was departing for the UCLA opening on Dec. 1, which led the program to entrust Napier to lead it into the next era.

Prior to Chesney’s departure however, James Madison won the Sun Belt Conference and snuck into the College Football Playoff as the No. 12 seed. It will face off against No. 5 Oregon for a chance to become the first mid-major program to win a game in the CFP.

Following this run however, the program will be fully handed over to Napier. During an interview with JMU Radio Network Wednesday night, the Tennessee native revealed that he would be shaking things up a bit with how he coaches.

“I’m going to do it differently this time,” Napier responded when asked if he’ll be calling plays. “So, I’m going to hire a coordinator and I’m going to work with him, you know, but I’m gonna give that guy autonomy and let him call the plays. I do think that I will go a little bit more pace, a little more 11 personnel spread. At this level, you can find the skill players.”

Billy Napier previously thrived in Sun Belt at Louisiana

“I think it’s hard to find the bigs, the tight end,” Napier continued. “You certainly need a quarterback that can make some plays with his feet. But I do think you got to jump into 12 and you got to be able to rush the ball and stop the run, especially the weather here, the conditions here. So, we’re going to let someone run it, but we’re not going to get too far from the tree. And I’m excited about that.”

Throughout Napier’s tenure in Gainesville, he was the primary play-caller. In his first season as Florida‘s head coach (2022), the Gators averaged 424.1 yards per game (seventh most in SEC). They however didn’t come anywhere near that number throughout the final three seasons of the Napier era, even averaging as low as 341.3 yards per game this season (Napier coached seven of 12 games).

After a rough go of things in the SEC, a return to the Sun Belt for Napier should be a nice return to form. In four seasons at Louisiana prior to jumping to Florida, Napier led the Ragin’ Cajuns to a 40-12 record and four consecutive bowl game appearances.