Spotlight Billy Napier introducing changes while balancing past success for JMU football CATIE HARPER Daily News-Record Jul 30, 2026 2 hrs ago 0 × Prefer us on Google Learn More Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save In his first offseason as James Madison's head coach, Billy Napier has repeatedly emphasized one phrase:kAmQ$F446DD =62G6D 369:?5 4=F6D]Qk^AmkAmxEVD 2 A9:=@D@A9J }2A:6C 92D =62?65 @? D:?46 2CC:G:?8 :? w2CC:D@?3FC8 :? s646>36C[ C64@8?:K:?8 E96 7@F?52E:@? 3F:=E 3J E96 4@2496D 367@C6 9:>]k^Am James Madison coach Billy Napier talks with the media. Parker Waters / Sun Belt Conference kAm#2E96C E92? @G6C92F= 2 AC@8C2> E92E 92D 6?;@J65 >@C6 E92? EH@ 564256D @7 DFDE2:?65 DF446DD[ }2A:6C 92D DA6?E >F49 @7 E96 @77D62D@? DEF5J:?8 H92E 2=C625J H@C<D]k^Am kAm%92E AC@46DD 3682? 2=>@DE :>>65:2E6=J]k^Am People are also reading… Franklin County residents bash supervisors on data center discussions Appalachian Power again reducing water releases from SML amid drought Complaint filed against Franklin County leaders Governor visits Smith Mountain Lake to emphasize water conservation in drought Finding 'Project Flash:' How Franklin County residents learned the county was talking to a data center developer Franklin County adds 1% sales tax to the ballot this November Son of Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy arrested for shooting mother in Virginia home Virginia Tech shrinks presidential search committee, citing competition for candidates Virginia's sexual and domestic violence agencies are struggling to meet demand MLB power rankings: Red Sox win streak hits 13 as worst-to-first quest continues Five MLB teams that will be most aggressive at trade deadline Mixed results in latest water quality testing at Smith Mountain Lake FIFA refereeing officer defends officials after Argentina-Egypt controversies Waynesboro teacher's aide accused of putting hand sanitizer in student's mouth FOIA documents reveal months of talks on 'Project Flash' in Franklin County kAmsFC:?8 9:D 7:CDE H66< @? 42>AFD[ }2A:6C H2E4965 @FE8@:?8 4@249 q@3 r96D?6J 2?5 9:D DE277 AC6A2C6 E96 sF<6D 7@C E96:C 7:CDE r@==686 u@@E32== !=2J@77 2AA62C2?46 282:?DE ~C68@?]k^AmkAm}2A:6C 7C6BF6?E=J @3D6CG65 AC24E:46D 2?5 >66E:?8D 367@C6 y|&VD EC:A E@ tF86?6[ 2? 6IA6C:6?46 96 36=:6G6D 2446=6C2E65 E96 EC2?D:E:@?]k^AmkAmQ(6 DE2CE65 E9:D AC@46DD @7 3F:=5:?8 E9:D DE277:?8 E62> :? s646>36C[ 2?5 x H@F=5 E6== J@F E92E xV> :?4C65:3=J 8C2E67F= 7@C r@249 r96D?6J 2?5 9:D @A6?\>:?565 2AAC@249[Q }2A:6C D2:5] Q(6VG6 925 2 492?46 E@ 36 2 A2CE @7 E96 r@==686 u@@E32== ,!=2J@77. 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