Billy Napier is headed to James Madison.
The former Florida head coach is set to sign a five-year deal with the school, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
Napier will replace Bob Chesney, who accepted a deal earlier this week to become the head coach at UCLA.
Florida head coach Billy Napier paces the sideline during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi State, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Gainesville, Fla. AP
Chesney, who went 20-5 in two seasons at JMU, including an 11-1 record this season, is expected to coach the team through the Sun Belt championship game and a possible College Football Playoff run.
Napier gets a new job after a turbulent three-plus years in Gainesville, going 22-23.
After starting out 3-4 this season, Florida fired Napier, having since hired Jon Sumrall to replace him, giving the former Tulane coach a six-year deal worth around $7.5 million per season.
Florida is reportedly paying out more than $21 million to Napier after the canning.
The JMU hiring will bring Napier back to the Sun Belt Conference after a stint in the SEC.
Before getting the Florida job, Napier spent four seasons as the coach of the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns, going 40-12 and winning two conference titles from 2018-21.
Florida head coach Billy Napier gestures during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Miami, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. AP
JMU has been one of the most successful Group of 6 teams in college football in recent years.
Since moving to the FBS and Sun Belt conference before the 2022 season, the Dukes have gone 39-10.
Before Chesney’s departure, JMU suffered another high-profile coaching loss, watching Curt Cignetti leave town for Indiana almost exactly two years ago.
No. 25 JMU will host 8-4 Troy in the Sun Belt championship Friday night.