<a href="https://www.on3.com/college/james-madison-dukes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">James Madison</a> is working to finalize a deal to hire former <a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/florida-gators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Florida</a> coach <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/coach/billy-napier-131395/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Billy Napier</a> as its next head coach, according to On3’s <a href="https://www.on3.com/user/petenakos/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pete Nakos</a> and <a href="https://www.on3.com/user/chris-low/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chris Low</a>. On3 previously <a href="https://www.on3.com/news/coaching-carousel-spins-intel-on-florida-lsu-staffs-and-more/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a> Napier as a name to watch in JMU’s coaching search.



Napier went 22-23 during his three-plus years in Gainesville prior to his departure this past season. His hiring at James Madison would mark a return to the Sun Belt Conference, where he previously coached at <a href="https://www.on3.com/college/louisiana-ragin-cajuns/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Louisiana</a> before Florida hired him.



During his time with the Ragin’ Cajuns, Napier went 40-12 overall and 20-5 in Sun Belt play. The program won two conference titles and appeared in the league championship game every year of his tenure from 2018-21.



Napier would replace <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/coach/bob-chesney-243703/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bob Chesney</a> as James Madison’s head coach. Chesney is expected to become the next head coach at <a href="https://www.on3.com/sites/bruin-blitz/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UCLA</a> following an impressive two-year run with the Dukes. He has the program in the Sun Belt Championship game after an 11-1 record during the regular season, including a perfect 8-0 mark in conference action.



JMU also came in at No. 25 in the penultimate <a href="https://www.on3.com/category/college-football-playoff/news/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">College Football Playoff</a> rankings. That means the Dukes could find a way into the 12-team bracket, depending on how some key conference championship games go throughout the weekend.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-on-billy-napier-s-coaching-background">More on Billy Napier’s coaching background</h2>



A former <a href="https://www.on3.com/college/furman-paladins/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Furman</a> quarterback, Billy Napier got his coaching start at <a href="https://www.on3.com/sites/tiger-illustrated/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Clemson</a> as a graduate assistant from 2003-04 before heading to <a href="https://www.on3.com/college/south-carolina-state-bulldogs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SC State</a> as quarterbacks coach in 2005. He returned to Clemson from 2006-10, starting out as tight ends coach and becoming offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach from 2009-10.



From there, Napier joined <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/coach/nick-saban-133646/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nick Saban’s</a> staff at <a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/alabama-crimson-tide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alabama</a> as an analyst in 2011 and was <a href="https://www.on3.com/college/colorado-state-rams/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Colorado State’s</a> assistant head coach/quarterbacks coach in 2012. He headed back to Tuscaloosa from 2013-16 as wide receivers coach and served as <a href="https://www.on3.com/sites/asu-devils/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arizona State’s</a> offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2017. That’s when Louisiana hired him.



Napier’s tenure at Florida began with a 6-7 record in 2022 before the Gators missed a bowl game in 2023 at 5-7. Hot seat chatter heated up in 2024, but UF rallied late in the year to finish 8-5 with multiple marquee victories, giving Napier another season. The program planned to invest more money into the roster, as well.



However, early season losses in 2025 eventually sparked Napier’s departure from Florida. That officially came after a victory over <a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/mississippi-state-bulldogs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mississippi State</a> ahead of the bye week, and UF finished the year with a 3-8 overall record.

Florida HC Billy Napier

On3 Football

James Madison working to hire former Florida HC Billy Napier as head coach

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James Madison working to hire former Florida HC Billy Napier as head coach

Charles Bediako

Transfer Portal Intel

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