PHILADELPHIA (JMU Athletics) – James Madison Head Coach Bob Chesney has been selected as one of 24 semifinalists for the 2025 George Munger College Coach of the Year Award, which is presented annually by the Maxwell Football Club.
This is the first time Chesney has been in contention for the George Munger Award and only the second time JMU has produced a semifinalist.
Chesney, now in his second season at the helm, has led JMU to a 9-1 overall record and 7-0 mark in Sun Belt Conference play this season, which is JMU’s best start in conference play since the program reclassified to the Football Bowl Subdivision.
Winners of eight straight, JMU is ranked #21 in the AP Top 25 and #22 in the US LBM Coaches Poll entering the week. The Dukes are also the lone Group of Six school to be unbeaten against Group of Six programs this season, at 8-0.
JMU is one of five schools to rank top 15 in both scoring offense and scoring defense, as it’s 14th in scoring offense (37.1) and 11th in scoring defense (16.2).
The Dukes are also top 10 nationally in time of possession (2nd – 35:09), first downs allowed (4th – 14.1), total defense (5th – 257.1), third down offense (6th – .522), rushing offense (7th – 241.6), rushing defense (8th – 89.1), third down defense (9th – .302) and pass efficiency defense (9th – 106.59).
Finalists will be announced on Dec. 8, and the winner of the George Munger Award will be unveiled on Dec. 30.
George Munger Award Semifinalists
Kalen DeBoer, Alabama
Kalani Sitake, BYU
Kirby Smart, Georgia
Brent Key, Georgia Tech
Willie Fritz, Houston
Curt Cignetti, Indiana
Bob Chesney, James Madison
Jerry Mack, Kennesaw State
Brian Newberry, Navy
Eric Morris, North Texas
Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame
Ryan Day, Ohio State
Brent Venables, Oklahoma
Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss
Dan Lanning, Oregon
Pat Narduzzi, Pitt
Sean Lewis, San Diego State
Mike Elko, Texas A&M
Joey McGuire, Texas Tech
Jon Sumrall, Tulane
Lincoln Riley, USC
Clark Lea, Vanderbilt
Tony Elliott, Virginia
Jake Dickert, Wake Forest
— JMU Athletics —
