HARRISONBURG, VA (Rocktown Now) — James Madison University is expected to name former Florida head coach Billy Napier as its next football coach, multiple sources told ESPN on Thursday.

Napier will succeed Bob Chesney, who is reportedly departing for UCLA after No. 25 JMU hosts Troy in the Sun Belt Championship on Friday night. The game kicks off at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.

According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Napier’s representatives are finalizing a five-year contract with JMU, with an official announcement anticipated on Saturday. University officials were reportedly drawn to Napier’s proven success at Louisiana, where he compiled a 40–12 record and reached four Sun Belt title games.

Napier inherits one of the strongest Group of Six programs in the country. Under Chesney, the Dukes have gone 20–5 over the past two seasons and enter the weekend at 11–1 with an outside shot at the College Football Playoff. JMU’s chances hinge on defeating Troy and on Duke — a five-loss team — upsetting Virginia in the ACC Championship on Saturday. In that scenario, the CFP selection committee could consider taking the champions of the American Athletic Conference and Sun Belt while leaving out the ACC winner.

An agreement between UCLA and JMU will allow Chesney to remain on the sideline if the Dukes advance to the CFP.

Napier was dismissed by Florida on Oct. 19 after a 3–4 start to the season. He finished his four-year tenure with a 22–23 record, including a 12–16 mark in SEC play. The Gators went 5–17 against ranked teams under his watch and failed to win a single road game against a ranked opponent. Despite widespread criticism of Florida’s offensive struggles in 2024, Napier opted to retain his playcalling duties.