Bob Chesney comes to James Madison University after five seasons leading Holy Cross as Head Coach. After leading Holy Cross to the FCS Playoff Quarterfinals in 2022, Bob Chesney has proven that he is a force when it comes to player development and winning. Under Chesney, the Crusaders have won four straight Patriot League Championships and have earned a playoff berth in each of the past four seasons. The 2022 Crusaders finished the regular season undefeated and made a run to the quarterfinals of the FCS Playoffs, losing only to eventual National Champion, South Dakota State. In 2021, Chesney led the Crusaders to their first FCS playoff win in program history. The Crusaders went 10-3 in 2021, finishing the year ranked No. 19 in the nation by Stats Perform. Chesney was named the Patriot League Coach of the Year, while earning New England Coach of the Year honors from the New England Football Writers and the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston. In addition, he was a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award, presented to the top FCS head coach each year. Chesney has coached 53 players to all-conference selections in his four years at Holy Cross and has continuously led the program to success. With 12 years of experience as a head coach, Chesney has an impressive overall record of 104-42.

Before accepting the position at Holy Cross, Chesney spent five seasons at Assumption College where he took over a program that had only two winning seasons in the 17 years prior to his arrival. Chesney led the Greyhounds to five-straight winning seasons and NCAA Tournament appearances in each of his last three years. Chesney previously inherited a Salve Regina program with an eight-season losing streak, and turned the program around, posting three winning campaigns in a row. During his eight seasons at Salve Regina and Assumption College, Chesney coached 94 all-conference selections and 12 All-Americans.