HARRISONBURG, Va. — James Madison has employed Bob Chesney away from Holy Cross to take over as soccer coach after Curt Cignetti left for a similar function at Indiana.

Athletic director Jeff Bourne made the announcement Thursday, every week after Cignetti’s departure. The varsity mentioned Chesney was given a five-year contract and will probably be launched Dec. 12.

The Dukes (11-1) are ranked No. 24 and can play Air Power within the Armed Forces Bowl on Dec. 23 in Fort Value, Texas. Cignetti plans to educate by way of that sport, and Chesney won’t be a part of the teaching employees. Bourne had mentioned having a substitute in place shortly was of paramount significance so he might assess the Dukes’ wants.

Chesney, 46, has been a head coach for 14 seasons, from the Championship Subdivision stage to Division III, and has a file of 111-46. He’s guided seven groups to convention championships, together with 5 in a row at Holy Cross of the Patriot League. The Crusaders reached the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs in 2022.

Chesney‘s file in six seasons at Holy Cross was 44-21, together with 29-8 the final three seasons. The journey to the FCS quarterfinals was the primary for this system in 40 years.

“Ideally, we wished a confirmed head coach with a monitor file of profitable soccer video games, each with frequency and towards powerful competitors,” Bourne mentioned in a launch saying the rent. “We sought somebody who would lead our younger males to maximise their potential in all aspects of life, together with their off-the-field pursuits and tutorial success. … Bob Chesney checks all these packing containers and extra.”