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How Curt Cignetti, Bob Chesney paved way for James Madison to ditch Sun Belt for American Conference

James Madison University is making a bold move by leaving the Sun Belt Conference to join the American Athletic Conference as a full member by July 1, 2028. The program’s recent ascent to FBS status in 2022 was built on the leadership of two experienced head coaches, Curt Cignetti and Bob Chesney, who transformed the Dukes into a competitive force.

Cignetti, hired in December 2018, led the team from its FCS roots to a successful transition into FBS, never posting a losing record from 2019 through 2023. His tenure set the foundation for the program’s future, culminating in its Sun Belt invitation in 2021.

Chesney took over afterward, continuing the momentum with a 9-4 record in 2024 and an even stronger 2025 season that earned national attention. Both coaches were praised by athletic director Jeff Bourne for their operational expertise, disciplined approach, and ability to build winning programs from the ground up—qualities that aligned with Bourne’s philosophy of hiring leaders with direct head-coaching experience.

Their combined impact has positioned James Madison for its next major step in college football’s top tier.

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