Holy Cross football coach Bob Chesney leaves James Madison University

Bob Chesney has been named the new coach of the James Madison University football team after leading Holy Cross.

James Madison University has announced that Bob Chesney, who led the Holy Cross football team to five straight Patriot League championships during his six seasons, will be the new head coach.

JMU, a former Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) powerhouse that won two national championships, transitioned to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and the Sun Belt Conference last season.

Curt Cignetti, who had been the Dukes' coach since 2019, recently took over as coach at Indiana University.

"We were methodical and intentional in casting a wide net to identify the next head coach of James Madison football, and I confidently believe that we found the total package in Bob Chesney," said James Madison Director of Athletics Jeff Bourne. "Ideally, we wanted a proven head coach with a track record of winning football games, both with frequency and against tough competition. We sought someone who would lead our young men to maximize their potential in all facets of life, including their off-the-field pursuits and academic success. We prioritized someone with experience at managing all facets of a modern Division I football program and particularly with ties to the East Coast. We also desired someone who would connect with our staff, would resonate with our fan base and would relish the opportunity to be a JMU Duke. Bob Chesney checks all those boxes and more."

Chesney, who is 46 years old, is a three-time Patriot League coach of the year and has a record of 44-21 at Holy Cross. He has brought the program into national prominence, making four straight NCAA playoff appearances and leading the team to its first postseason victory in 2021.

Under Chesney's leadership, Holy Cross finished the 2022 season with a No. 6 national ranking and beat FBS teams in back-to-back seasons. Despite leaving the team with a 7-4 record and sharing the PL title with Lafayette, they missed out on an at-large FCS playoff bid.

Chesney expressed his gratitude to Holy Cross in a statement, saying, "As I bid farewell to Holy Cross after six transformative years, I want to express my deepest gratitude for the extraordinary journey we've shared. The collective passion of the players, coaches, athletic department staff and administration, families, alumni, fans and entire Worcester community has created history. It's been a remarkable chapter, and I'm confident that the team is well-positioned for even greater success in the future."

Chesney will be leaving Holy Cross to coach at James Madison University, and Damian Wroblewski, JMU's associate head coach for offense, will serve as acting head coach for the bowl game.

Chesney has spent 11 years in Worcester and also brought the Assumption football program into the national spotlight. He led the Greyhounds to the most successful five-year stretch in program history and took the team to three NCAA Division 2 tournaments.

In his first head coaching position, Chesney led Salve Regina to a record of 23-9 in three seasons from 2010 to 2012.