By Jack Fitzpatrick and Bennett Conlin

What a year it was for JMU and defensive coordinator Lyle Hemphill. The former ACC assistant spent just one year in Harrisonburg — he’s leaving for an assistant role with Texas A&M and his former head coach Mike Elko — but he made his mark in one season. 

The Dukes leaned on their defense during a 9-4 season, leading all Group of Five teams in turnovers forced (29). They held Western Kentucky’s high-powered offense to just 17 points in the program’s first bowl win, and Hemphill’s unit topped the Sun Belt in sacks, scoring defense and rushing defense. 

Who could JMU bring in to replace the turnover wizard? Here are a few top candidates.

External Candidates 

Brian Vaganek, Holy Cross defensive coordinator – Vaganek took Holy Cross’ defensive coordinator gig in 2024, after spending the seven seasons before that working as the Crusaders’ linebackers coach and defensive run game coordinator. The Crusaders ranked second in the Patriot League in scoring defense in 2024, although they were first (16.5 points per game) during league games. Patriot League opponents converted just 32.1% of their third-down conversions against Holy Cross in 2024. Given his familiarity with Cheseny, Vaganek is an obvious candidate for the job. 

Scott James, UNH safeties coach and former HC defensive coordinator  – James spent 2018-2023 as Holy Cross’ defensive coordinator, excelling in the role. Holy Cross led the FCS in total defense in 2021. He joined UNH in 2024 as the defensive pass game coordinator and safeties coach. The Wildcats were among the CAA’s top defenses last fall. Like Vaganek, the connection to Chesney makes James a possible candidate. Both James and Vaganek have multiple years of experience as defensive coordinators. 

Tripp Weaver, Former Austin Peay Defensive Coordinator – Weaver is a name JMU fans may recognize. He was the team’s cornerbacks coach and recruiting coordinator from 2015-2017 and helped bring a National Championship to Harrisonburg with Mike Houston. He was the safeties coach back with Mike Houston at ECU from 2020-23 after working as an assistant at Western Carolina. This past season, Weaver was the DC at Austin Peay where he helped turn around the Governors’ defense. Similar to Hemphill, he runs an aggressive style of defense that loves forcing turnovers — Austin Peay ranked 10th nationally in total interceptions (14) and 35th nationally in total turnovers (18). 

Justin Stovall, Columbia Defensive Coordinator – Stovall is the defensive coordinator and associate head coach for Columbia in the Ivy League. This past season he was the defensive play caller for the second-best scoring defense in the FCS behind only South Dakota State. Stovall has consistently coordinated a top-end defense in the FCS and the Ivy League. 

Ross Pennypacker, Villanova Defensive Coordinator –  Pennypacker is also the Villanova defensive line coach. He has helped make Villanova a top-10 defensive unit since taking over the defensive play calling duties three seasons ago. Pennypacker is an experienced coach with ties to Pennsylvania. 

Manny Rojas, Delaware Defensive Coordinator –  Was defensive coordinator at Lafayette in 2019 and became the Delaware DC in 2020. Has turned the Blue Hens into a top-end unit not only in the CAA but across the FCS. Rojas has extensive experience in the area as well. He played at Liberty, where he also got his coaching start and also spent five seasons with the Spiders at Richmond. 

Justin Wood, Richmond defensive coordinator – The Dukes already took three Spiders (all offensive players) in the transfer portal. Why not take a coach, too? Wood has spent the last nine seasons in Richmond, becoming the DC after the 2019 season. His Spiders ranked eighth nationally in scoring defense in 2024. He knows Virginia well, having coached at VMI and Christopher Newport. 

Jahmal Brown, Mercer’s defensive coordinator – Brown, who was Youngstown State’s defensive coordinator in 2022 and 2023, helped Mercer lead the FCS with 34 turnovers forced in 2024. Mercer went 11-3, even winning a playoff game over Rhode Island. Brown’s defense was dominant, leading the country in sacks and ranking in the top 10 in turnovers and third-down defense. They were in the top 20 in scoring defense and team passing efficiency defense.  

Travis Knight, Wingate Defensive Coordinator – Knight led the fourth-best scoring defense in Division II in 2024, and Chesney has shown a willingness to recruit and hire from lower levels.

Eric Fargo, Kutztown Defensive Coordinator – Led the No. 1 scoring defense in Division II in 2024.

Internal Candidates

Sam Daniels, Defensive Line Coach – One of the only current coaches on the defensive side of the ball with experience as a defensive coordinator. Daniels was the defensive coordinator with The Apprentice School down in Newport News in 2013. Daniels has received a ton of praise from his players and the defensive line was an extreme bright spot in 2024. The former JMU star could be an interesting name to watch if Chesney wants to promote from within. 

Eddie Whitley, Jr., Cornerbacks Coach – Whitley has been on the staff since 2020 and has coached the safeties, rovers and now corners. Prior to his time at JMU, Whitley was the secondary coach at Bridgewater and the Pass Defense Coordinator for two years. 

Run it back?

Mike Houston – Has that 10-year contract technically expired yet?

Brandon Staley – Why coach in the NFL when you could hang out in Harrisonburg?

Everett Withers – We know he’d spruce up the uniform combinations.

Bob Trott – JMU legend, Bob Trott.

Photo courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications