On Monday, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that JMU Head Coach Bob Chesney is set to take over at UCLA beginning in 2026.
Chesney’s departure brings an end to an outstanding two-year run in Harrisonburg — one that featured an excellent 20-5 overall record, multiple top-25 finishes, and the continued elevation of the Dukes as one of the nation’s premier Group of Five powers. With Chesney making the move to Los Angeles, the Dukes now face a pivotal moment as the program begins its search for its next leader.
Here’s a look at five candidates who could be strong fits to lead the JMU Dukes into their next chapter:
Jerry Mack, Kennesaw State HC
Kennesaw State Head Coach Jerry Mack has quickly become one of the most intriguing figures within the Group of Five coaching ranks.
After the Owls finished with an abysmal 2-10 record in 2024, Mack wasted little time turning the program around.
In his first year at the helm, Mack has led the Owls to a 9-3 record overall and a 7-1 record in conference play — an insanely quick turnaround that has garnered significant national media attention.
Much of Kennesaw State’s complete program overhaul stems from Mack’s high-flying “basketball-on-grass” offensive system, which centers around an efficient passing attack paired with a complementary, punishing downhill rushing attack.
Mack’s offense, designed to quickly move the ball around and exploit mismatches, has yielded substantial results, with the Owls finishing near the top of Conference USA in most offensive metrics in 2025.
https://twitter.com/lightonsports/status/1994933164662505600?s=12
Additionally, Mack’s diverse coaching experience — spanning both the college and professional ranks — makes the 46-year-old a particularly attractive candidate for a program like JMU, which may be seeking an innovative, yet experienced offensive coach capable of bringing stability to their program.
Though prying Mack away after just one year won’t be easy, he is precisely the kind of innovative, culture-driven leader who could help elevate James Madison to the next level — making him someone who should be on the shortlist for athletic director Matt Roan.
DeLane Fitzgerald, Southern Utah HC
If James Madison is willing to dip once again into the FCS pipeline for its next head coach, Southern Utah’s DeLane Fitzgerald is a name that deserves some serious consideration.
Fitzgerald — a JMU alumnus who played fullback for the Dukes from 1997-1999 and later served as a defensive line coach in 2002 — is currently in the midst of leading Southern Utah to its first winning season since 2017.
Before arriving in Cedar City, Fitzgerald served as the head coach at Division-II Frostburg State, where he led the Bobcats to three conference championships and earned three conference Coach of the Year Awards in his eight seasons with the program.
Fitzgerald’s teams are traditionally defined by toughness, discipline, and physicality — characteristics that mirror the well-established identity of JMU as a program. The sell with Fitzgerald is simple: he’s an experienced and respected program-builder who has deep ties to James Madison and possesses a unique understanding of the region’s recruiting profile.
The 49-year-old’s familiarity — with the institution, the community, and the expectations — could provide welcome stability as the Dukes transition out of the Chesney era.
To sum it up, Fitzgerald’s track-record of building and sustaining winning programs suggests he’s ready to make the jump up college football’s coaching ranks — and JMU may be the ideal landing spot for him.
Mike Shanahan, Indiana OC
James Madison fans should no doubt be familiar with Mike Shanahan’s name.
After all, the Hoosiers’ offensive coordinator filled the same role for the Dukes from 2021 to 2023.
While in Harrisonburg, Shanahan saw much success, with his offenses boasting back-to-back top-30 ranked seasons in 2022 and 2023.
Since joining the Hoosiers in 2024, Shanahan has helped transform Indiana’s offense into one of the most prolific units in the nation. So far in 2025, Indiana’s offense has been lights out, ranking second in the nation in scoring (44.3/PPG) and fifth in yards gained per contest (483.8). Quarterback Fernando Mendoza has also flourished under Shanahan’s guidance, passing for just over 2,700 yards and 32 touchdowns on the year, firmly positioning himself within the 2025 Heisman Trophy race.
With Chesney now out of the picture, Shanahan would make a ton of sense for the Dukes to target in their search for a new head coach. His familiarity with the program, proven track record of success at the Power Four level, and notable recruiting acumen all make him a logical choice for the Dukes’ next head coach.
Kevin Cahill, Lehigh HC
One potential candidate who’s gained real traction among JMU fans on social media is Lehigh University’s Head Coach Kevin Cahill.
And, for good reason. Cahill’s résumé paints the picture of a proven program-builder and someone who’s found success at just about every stop he’s made.
After taking over a roster that went an abysmal 2-9 the year before his arrival, Cahill flipped the Mountain Hawks into a powerhouse in just two seasons, winning consecutive Patriot League championships and earning Patriot League Coach of the Year honors in 2024. Following their 42-32 victory against Lafayette University on Nov. 22nd, Cahill’s Mountain Hawks completed an impressive undefeated regular season (12-0) and are set to face Villanova in the second round of the FCS playoffs.
https://twitter.com/fcsscout/status/1987231662023803117?s=12
Before taking the reins at Lehigh, the 47-year-old spent nearly a decade with Yale, serving multiple roles on the team’s offensive staff. While in New Haven, Cahill mentored multiple Ivy League Offensive Player of the Year Award winners and helped roll out consistently-efficient, productive offensive units on a year-to-year basis.
Interestingly, Cahill’s coaching profile mirrors some similarities to that of Chesney. They two both come from an offensive background, both have previously served as offensive coordinators at other programs, and both have found immense success as head coaches within the Patriot League — Cahill at Lehigh and Chesney at Holy Cross.
Ultimately, should James Madison once again look to the Patriot League to find their next head coach, Kevin Cahill stands out as a coach who could realistically fit and thrive in Harrisonburg and absolutely deserves a look.
Colin Hitschler, James Madison DC
Colin Hitschler’s performance as JMU’s defensive coordinator in 2025 has been nothing short of incredible. The former Alabama Crimson Tide co-defensive coordinator has shined in his lone year with the Dukes, consistently rolling out hard-hitting, disruptive units week after week.
Through 12 contests, JMU’s defensive unit ranks 10th nationally in scoring defense (16/ppg) and third in total yards allowed per game (263.2). Additionally, the Dukes boast the fifth-ranked rushing defense and sit inside the top-5 for first downs allowed at the FBS level. By all the metrics, the Dukes not only sport the best defense in the Sun Belt Conference, but likely the entire Group of Five.
https://twitter.com/jmufootball/status/1993413087639093739?s=12
While Hitschler has never been a head coach, his 15 years of coaching experience certainly makes him well-versed in the ever-changing landscape of college football.
Of course, Hitschler could always follow Bob Chesney to UCLA. But, if the Dukes are looking to maintain cultural and operational continuity, promoting the 39-year-old to the role of head coach from within could be a strong, internally-aligned option.
The Bottom Line
Regardless of which direction James Madison ultimately opts to move forward in its coaching search, the program remains squarely positioned for sustained success in the future.
With a loyal fan base, strong administrative support, and deeply rooted culture of consistency and competitiveness, JMU’s coaching search is anything but a scramble for stability — in fact, its an opportunity to elevate the program to new heights.
To put it simply: the future is bright for the Dukes, and whomever is named the next head football coach at James Madison University will instantly step into one of the most attractive and positively-trending positions in the Group of Five.
Leave a comment