Read more: Clemson\u2019s Dabo Swinney Reacts to Lane Kiffin Taking LSU Job<\/a><\/p>\n Reports of JMU finalizing a deal for Napier to become the new head coach first arrived via On3\u2019s Pete Nakos and Chris Low<\/a>. Once Napier’s deal is official, he rejoins the Sun Belt Conference. He coached the conference’s Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns from 2018 to 2021 and went 40-12 with three-straight first-place finishes.<\/p>\n Louisiana and Florida were Napier\u2019s only head-coaching jobs thus far. Previously, he worked as a quarterback coach for South Carolina State in 2005, later serving in that role, along with offensive coordinator, for Clemson, Colorado State, and Arizona State.<\/p>\n The 46-year-old was also part of the coaching staff during two teams\u2019 national championship runs. In 2011, Napier was an analyst with Alabama when Nick Saban\u2019s Crimson Tide won the championship. In 2015, he was a wide receiver coach with the school for another Saban championship.<\/p>\n With Napier\u2019s hiring, he will replace Bob Chesney as the new JMU coach. According to ESPN<\/a>, Chesney is expected to sign a five-year deal to become the new coach of the UCLA Bruins football program.<\/p>\n On3 suggests that with JMU ranked No. 25 in the recent College Football Playoff rankings, there is still a slight possibility they could make the 12-team bracket. However, that would require key conference championship games to play out in JMU\u2019s favor.<\/p>\n Read more: Ole Miss Coach Sends Message to Fans After CFP Rankings Reveal<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Former](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/GettyImages-2240132937.jpg\"\/)
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