HARRISONBURG, Va. (JMU Athletics) – James Madison Head Coach Bob Chesney announced the football program has added three new members to the coaching staff while elevating another for the 2025 season.

Richard Rodgers joins the program as Associate Head Coach, Scott Brisson as an offensive analyst and Eric Mele as assistant special teams coach. Also being elevated to the role of offensive analyst is Mike Cordova, who was on the 2024 staff.

“I am excited to welcome the new additions of Scott Brisson, Eric Mele, and Richard Rodgers to our 2025 JMU football coaching staff! With the support of university leadership and our athletic administration, we’ve been able to bolster our on-field coaching support with highly competent and qualified individuals who are renowned in the coaching community,” Chesney said. “Not only is their football acumen strong, but they are great leaders of men.”

Chesney continued, “Brisson, Mele and Rodgers bring a wealth of experience and knowledge having been Division I coordinators at various levels and Rodgers having more than a decade of NFL coaching experience. Cordova has earned this! He has worked in several different capacities for our teams over the years and is a dedicated, hardworking and talented individual who brings a lot of value to our offensive staff.”

Rodgers, a 35-year coaching veteran, returns to the collegiate coaching scene after a dozen years in the National Football League with the Carolina Panthers (2012-19) and Washington Commanders (2020-23). He was special teams coordinator in Carolina before moving on to coach in the secondary with the safeties. He was part of four playoff teams with the Panthers, including the 2015 squad that went 15-1 and reached Super Bowl 50. He also reached the wild card round in his first season in Washington in 2020 after winning the NFC East.

Prior to his time in the NFL, Rodgers spent the 23 years across five institutions. Before moving to the Panthers, Rodgers was defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Holy Cross (2005-11). In 2009, he was part of a staff that led the Crusaders to their first Patriot League title in 18 years and their second berth into the FCS playoffs. Before Holy Cross, Rodgers also had stops as a secondary coach at New Mexico State (2001-04). Portland State (1997-2000), San Jose State (1995-96) and Diablo Valley Community College (1989-94).

Brisson comes to JMU with nearly two decades of coaching experience on the offensive side of the ball, as he was most recently an offensive analyst and assistant quarterbacks coach at Wake Forest for the 2024 season. Prior to Wake, Brisson was offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Shippensburg (2023-24) and Lehigh (2017-22). While leading Lehigh’s offense, he coordinated offenses that produced record-breaking achievements, including the Patriot League’s all-time leading receiver, career rushing and touchdown leaders, and top-ranked passing efficiency leaders. He began as wide receivers coach at LU (2014-16) while also serving as a graduate assistant earlier in his career (2008-09). Brisson has also had stops at Lycoming College (2012-13), St. Lawrence (2010-11), and Franklin and Marshall (2006-07).

Mele joins the Dukes with 22 years of coaching experience, with all but one at the collegiate level. Most recently, Mele spent the 2024 season as a special teams assistant at North Carolina, helping transform its special teams unit to a #8 ranking by PFF after ranking #116 a season before. Before Chapel Hill, Mele was on the staff at Mississippi State for four seasons (2020-23), beginning as running backs coach for two seasons before transitioning to special teams coordinator for the last season campaigns. While at MSU, he led one of the nation’s top special teams units, ranking #1 by PFF. He followed legendary coach Mike Leach to Starkville after eight seasons at Washington State (2012-19). At Wazzu, Mele was running backs coach for his final two seasons while also serving roles as special teams coordinator and offensive quality control with the quarterbacks. Mele also had stops at Wingate (2007-11), Saint Peter’s College (2006), Marist High School (2005) and William Patterson (2003-04).

Cordova worked as an assistant wide receivers coach in his grad assistant role during the 2024 campaign. He was part of an offensive staff that ranked top 30 nationally in seven categories, which included leading the country in fewest interceptions (4) and third in fewest turnovers (9). JMU also ranked 26th in the FBS in scoring, at 33.3 points per game and 28th in rushing offense, at 191.5 yards per outing. Cordova was previously on Chesney’s staff at Holy Cross as a running backs coach (2022-23) and special teams quality control coach (2021). Cordova additionally has coaching experience at Wilkes University (2020-21) and Stonehill (2019-20) where he played college football.

— JMU Athletics —