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Curt Cignetti Recommended Bob Chesney for JMU Job

In 2024, Curt Cignetti played a pivotal role in advocating for Bob Chesney's appointment as the head coach at James Madison.

Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Football

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In 2024, former James Madison head coach Curt Cignetti advocated for Bob Chesney, who later secured the head coaching position at UCLA. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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In 2024, then-James Madison coach Curt Cignetti contacted athletic director Jeff Bourne to recommend Bob Chesney for the head coaching vacancy. This endorsement preceded Chesney's subsequent move to lead the UCLA football program starting in December 2025.

Why it matters

The recommendation highlights the professional respect between coaches based on performance at the Division II level. It reflects how internal advocacy can influence high-level collegiate head coaching appointments across different athletic programs.

Bob Chesney achieved a 44-16 record at Assumption College with two Northeast-10 championships, followed by five Patriot League titles at Holy Cross. He later led James Madison to a 9-4 record before taking the UCLA position where he remains undefeated through seven games in 2026.

The players

Curt Cignetti

A successful college football coach who facilitated the transition for his successor at James Madison University.

Bob Chesney

A head football coach who built a significant career record across multiple collegiate divisions before leading UCLA.

Jeff Bourne

The athletic director at James Madison University who oversaw the football program's coaching search in 2024.

The details

Chesney built his reputation at Assumption College, where he led the team to three consecutive playoff appearances. After success at Holy Cross, he transitioned to the FBS level with James Madison before eventually moving to UCLA.

Timeline

  1. Bob Chesney served as the coach at Assumption College from 2013 to 2017.

  2. Between 2019 and 2023, Bob Chesney earned five Patriot League titles at Holy Cross.

  3. Curt Cignetti recommended Bob Chesney for the James Madison position in 2024.

  4. Bob Chesney became the head coach at UCLA in December 2025.

  5. UCLA maintained an undefeated record through seven games in 2026.

Season Trajectory

This move follows the pattern set by the James Madison University move from FCS to FBS in 2022 as the program sought to maintain competitive success during a major transition. It illustrates how coaching continuity and specific endorsements influence the long-term stability of transitioning programs.

Bob Chesney currently holds an undefeated record through seven games in 2026, marking a significant turnaround from UCLA's 3-9 finish in 2025. This performance trajectory indicates a major shift in the program's competitive standing for the current season.

The takeaway

Professional networks and direct recommendations from successful coaches remain a cornerstone of collegiate hiring strategies. Coaches often rely on proven track records at smaller institutions when advocating for advancement in the competitive FBS landscape.

Further reading

For more on the latest developments in the sport, visit Football.

Source note: This article includes information reported by EssentiallySports.

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