JMU Welcomes Holy Cross Football Team and Coaching Staff Led by Bob Chesney for New Season
The Holy Cross football team made history this season, securing their fifth straight Patriot League title in a dominating final game against the Georgetown Hoyas, played at Fitton Field. This victory marked the first undefeated regular season for Holy Cross in over 30 years.
Several notable players, including Ben Lepper '25, the Chief Sports Editor at Holy Cross, and Ben Kuchipudi '25, the Sports Editor, played their final game at Fitton Field. Among the standout performers was Curtis Harris-Lopez, who won four consecutive Patriot League titles as a safety for Holy Cross, and Matthew Sluka, a four-time Patriot League champion and FCS All-American quarterback.
Following their impressive run at Holy Cross, Harris-Lopez, Sluka, and head coach Bob Chesney have moved to James Madison University (JMU), an FBS program. Chesney, a historically great coach at Holy Cross, led the team to five consecutive Patriot League titles before his departure. Last season, Tyler Purdy, Pat McMurtrie, Terrence Spence, and Jacob Dobbs also joined Chesney at JMU.
The move of key personnel from Holy Cross appears to have positively influenced JMU's football program. Under Chesney in his second year, JMU has strengthened both offense and defense through strategic roster building. The team boasts a strong backfield with multiple running backs and quarterback talent, as well as a defense supported by experienced returners and 13 transfers.
JMU's ability to retain key players and incorporate new talents through transfers and coaching hires, such as Jack Sprague joining in 2025 as Associate Director of Athletic Performance, indicates organizational stability and focus on program success. This suggests that the movement from Holy Cross contributes to maintaining continuity by replenishing the roster and coaching staff with experienced personnel familiar with competitive programs.
Meanwhile, Holy Cross is undergoing changes due to its success. Dan Curran is the new coach at Holy Cross, and Joe Pesansky is the new starting quarterback. Chris Smith, a former offensive coordinator for Holy Cross football, has joined the New York Giants.
As the 2025 season approaches, expectations are high for both Holy Cross and JMU. While specific impacts on Holy Cross’s football continuity and success are not yet clear, the enhancement seen at JMU underscores the broader positive effect of such transitions on a program seeking to improve its competitive standing.
The sports-analysis of the upcoming 2025 season predicts a renewed rivalry between Holy Cross and James Madison University (JMU), as both teams strive to maintain their competitiveness following significant changes. The departure of key personnel from Holy Cross, including head coach Bob Chesney, has opened opportunities for a new era at Fitton Field, with Dan Curran stepping in as the new coach. Meanwhile, JMU's American-football team has experienced growth under Chesney's guidance, boasting a stronger offensive line and defense due to strategic roster building and the addition of experienced personnel like Jack Sprague.
At Holy Cross, the departure of players like Curtis Harris-Lopez and Matthew Sluka has also provided space for up-and-coming athletes to shine. Joe Pesansky has been named the starting quarterback, and he will aim to lead the team in the wake of Chesney's departure, while Chris Smith has joined the NFL's New York Giants as an offensive coordinator.
As the competitive spirit of athletics and the arts continues to thrive at both universities, fans eagerly await the events of the upcoming season, where Holy Cross and JMU's football teams will face off with renewed fervor, fueled by their shared history and the drive to assert their dominance in collegiate sports.
