HARRISONBURG, Va. (JMU Athletics) – James Madison Head Coach Bob Chesney announced the hire of Dave Plungas as the football program’s new linebackers coach for the 2025 season.

Plungas brings a decade of coaching experience to Harrisonburg, which includes the past seven seasons as the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at Robert Morris (2018-24).

“I am excited to welcome Dave and his family to JMU football! Dave’s experience leading one of the top defenses in the FCS will maximize our defense’s potential and put our linebackers in the best position to succeed,” Chesney said. “Dave is an elite football mind, tireless recruiter and proven developer of his players! Dave comes highly recommended and is very well respected in the coaching community. His ability to connect with his player is evident, and we look forward to the impact Dave will make here at JMU!”

During the 2024 season, RMU’s defense led the Northeast Conference and ranked 17th in the FCS in scoring defense, at 20.1 points per game. The Colonials, who set a program record with six home wins, were also top 20 in five other areas, which included 10th in defensive touchdowns (3), 12th in tackles for loss (7.2), 15th in pass efficiency defense (117.49), 17th in sacks (7.2) and 18th in first-down defense (199).

He mentored RMU defenders to a combined 20 All-NEC selections during his tenure, including 2020-21 FCS All-American Jamar Shegog. He also coached Tavin Harville to an NFL contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021 and Aniello Bizzacco to an NEC-best and RMU-record 131 tackles in 2019.

His RMU defenses also finished fourth on fourth down and 23rd in passing defense in 2023 and ninth in pass efficiency defense and 15th in passing defense in 2019.

Prior to RMU, Plungas spent three seasons coaching at his alma mater, Albany (2015-17), where he was outside linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator. He also coached the defensive line during his first two seasons. He helped mentored a total of eight All-Colonial Athletic Association defenders in his three seasons, including two-time member and 2017 First Team defensive lineman Malachi Hoskins.

Albany’s 2017 defense ranked as one of the best in the CAA, finishing fourth in scoring defense (17.7) and second in total defense (282.2). The 2016 squad was second in the conference in scoring defense (18.8) and led the CAA in turnover margin, at +16.

He began his collegiate coaching career at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (2013-14), where he served as safeties coach in 2013 and linebackers and co-special teams coordinator in 2014. Plungas coached a pair of linebackers to All-Liberty League status in Brandon Cook (2013) and Colby Tragni (2014). In addition to his defensive duties, Plungas developed and led the weekly punt team game plan.

Plungas graduated from Albany with a bachelor’s degree in communications marketing. With the Great Danes, the former linebacker was a three-year starter who was a 2012 team captain and helped lead his team to Northeast Conference titles in 2008, 2011 and 2012, reaching the FCS playoffs in 2011.

— JMU Athletics —