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Chesney Departs After James Madison's Historic Playoff Loss

12/22/2025

30 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

In James Madison's 51-34 College Football Playoff loss to Oregon, Bob Chesney coached his final game as head coach.
Chesney accepted the head coaching position at UCLA.
James Madison finished the season 12-2, marking their first playoff appearance.
Both Chesney and Tulane's Jon Sumrall, who is moving to a new job, are focused on proving their teams belong in the playoff despite skepticism about their chances against stronger opponents.

History

Historical Context

The College Football Playoff (CFP) debuted in 2014, introducing a four-team knockout format to determine the NCAA Division I FBS champion. This shift aimed to enhance competitiveness, moving away from the controversial Bowl Championship Series. As of 2024, the CFP will expand to 12 teams, allowing more programs like James Madison, which finished 12-2 under Bob Chesney, to compete against traditional powerhouses.

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Story summary

In James Madison's 51-34 College Football Playoff loss to Oregon, Bob Chesney coached his final game as head coach.
Chesney accepted the head coaching position at UCLA.
James Madison finished the season 12-2, marking their first playoff appearance.
Both Chesney and Tulane's Jon Sumrall, who is moving to a new job, are focused on proving their teams belong in the playoff despite skepticism about their chances against stronger opponents.

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