College football standouts and their coaches remain loyal to Bob Chesney, moving on to James Madison University together from Holy Cross.
The Holy Cross football team is undergoing changes as Dan Curran takes over as coach and Joe Pesansky steps into the role of starting quarterback. These changes come amidst the team's success, with five straight Patriot League titles under the previous coach, Bob Chesney.
The team's roster has seen some shifts, with several players moving to James Madison University (JMU), an FBS program. Last season, notable players like Tyler Purdy (running back), Pat McMurtrie (offensive lineman), Terrence Spence (cornerback), and Jacob Dobbs (linebacker) joined Chesney at JMU.
Chesney, Sluka, and Curtis Harris-Lopez, a safety at Holy Cross who won four consecutive Patriot League titles, have also graduated and moved to JMU. Sluka, an FCS All-American and Conference Offensive player of the year, and Harris-Lopez, with multiple interceptions, a touchdown, and over fifty tackles last season, will bring valuable experience to their new team.
Chris Smith, the offensive coordinator at Holy Cross who played a significant role in the team's success, has also left to join the New York Giants.
Despite these departures, the Holy Cross football team remains optimistic, with Pesansky ready to lead the team as the new starting quarterback. The upcoming season promises to be an exciting new chapter for the team, with fresh faces and a renewed spirit.
This article is brought to you by Ben Kuchipudi '25, the Sports Editor, and Ben Lepper '25, the Chief Sports Editor, under the "Sports" category.
As for the impact of these changes on both programs, while it cannot be conclusively described based on the available data, losing key staff and players from a program often affects its competitiveness and continuity, while the receiving institution gains talent and experience, influencing team depth and performance positively.
For a more specific analysis of the effects on Holy Cross's football program after 2021 or JMU's growth influenced by these transfers, a more targeted search or institutional sources from those years might be necessary.
The final game of the season for the Crusaders was against the Georgetown Hoyas at Fitton Field, a game that saw a relatively quiet performance from both teams.
Despite the changes, the Holy Cross football team is looking forward to the upcoming season with a new coach, a new starting quarterback, and a renewed spirit.
- The shifts in the Holy Cross football team's roster have led some players to transfer to James Madison University (JMU), an FBS program, such as Tyler Purdy, Pat McMurtrie, Terrence Spence, and Jacob Dobbs.
- Chris Smith, the offensive coordinator at Holy Cross who played a significant role in the team's success, has left to join the New York Giants.
- Chesney, Sluka, and Curtis Harris-Lopez, who were key members of the Holy Cross team that won four consecutive Patriot League titles, have also transferred to JMU.
- Sluka, an FCS All-American and Conference Offensive player of the year, and Harris-Lopez, with multiple interceptions, a touchdown, and over fifty tackles last season, will bring valuable experience to the JMU team.
