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James Madison University is officially parting ways with one of the most successful coaches in program history. Bob Chesney, who spent the past two seasons leading the Dukes through a remarkable rise in the FBS ranks, has accepted the head coaching job at UCLA, sources confirmed to CBS Sports.
Chesney’s move ends a brief but defining era in Harrisonburg. After taking over a roster that lost multiple stars to Indiana following Curt Cignetti’s exit, he steadied the program immediately — winning nine games in his first season and turning JMU into a national storyline in year two. The Dukes finished 11–1 this fall and were firmly in the mix for the Group of Five’s College Football Playoff berth.
His departure comes despite having a year left on his contract, which included an $833,495 salary and a now-voided $140,000 retention bonus. Chesney leaves with an extraordinary résumé: conference title appearances at every stop, four league championships, a 131–51 career record, and a reputation as one of the sport’s most effective program-builders across all NCAA divisions.
JMU becomes the latest program to see a rising coaching star snapped up by a Power Four school. While the Bruins struggled early in their Big Ten era, they aggressively pursued Chesney — beating out major programs like Penn State in the hiring process. For Chesney, whose entire career has been spent in the Eastern Time Zone, UCLA marks a major geographic and competitive leap.
The coaching search now begins for the Dukes, who are entering their most high-profile stretch since joining the FBS. Chesney’s rapid success helped solidify JMU as a legitimate national presence, and his departure leaves large shoes for the next head coach to fill.
In Harrisonburg, the move marks the end of a short but transformational chapter — and the beginning of another major transition for JMU football.