JMU football landed its new coach in recent days, bringing in former Louisiana and Florida coach Billy Napier to replace Bob Chesney. He has big shoes to fill, as Chesney led the Dukes to the College Football Playoff in just his second season before bolting for UCLA. 

Perhaps Napier’s biggest critique during his Florida tenure was his insistence on calling plays offensively. Who will he bring in to help him on the offensive side of the ball at JMU? And who will take over a JMU defense known for being one of the best in the Group of Five since the Dukes moved up?

We’ll track JMU’s staffing moves here. 

Offensive coaches

Offensive coordinator — Cam Aiken? While not official yet, FootballScoop reported that Napier is targeting the East Tennessee OC to take the same job in Harrisonburg. Aiken would be a fantastic hire. ETSU went 7-5 in 2025, Aiken’s first season as OC. The Buccaneers averaged 32.5 points per game, ranking 24th in the FCS. They ran for about 200 yards per contest, ranking 15th in the FCS. The Buccaneers ranked 15th in the FCS in total offense.

Aiken also has P4 experience, working as an assistant at both Ole Miss and Clemson. He spent nine years at Clemson, during which the program made six College Football Playoff appearances and won a pair of national titles. 

Defensive coaches

Defensive coordinator — JMU is hiring former Florida co-DC Robert Bala, according to multiple reports. He spent 2025 with Napier at Florida, 2024 in Washington, and 2023 at Alabama. He coached linebackers at both Alabama and Washington is known as an elite LB developer and recruiter. His P4 experience should prove valuable, if he becomes the official hire. He knows Virginia a little bit from a 2022 stint as an analyst at Liberty.

Photo courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications