JMU Football has a new linebacker coach, according to multiple reports.
The Dukes is coaching position groups with former Robert Morris defensive coordinator Dave Prangus. According to FootballScoop.com, he is expected to spend his last seven seasons as a defensive coordinator and linebacker coach for the Colonials, and as a defensive run game coordinator for JMU in 2025.
Plungas replaced Zach Sparber and set out for the position of co-defense coordinator at Rutgers a year later with JMU. With Colin Hitcher being named the team’s new defensive coordinator earlier this month, the Dukes’ new linebacker coach will be taking part in the defense under new leadership. The former Alabama assistant replaced Lyle Hemphill, who only spent one season at Harrisonburg. Sparber has previous ties to Hemphill, and Sparber’s JMU departure was not at all unexpected after failing to land JMU’s DC gigs despite being the top candidate this offseason .
It appeared that JMU had landed Coach Star to replace Prungas’ sparbar. He passed the efficiency defense in 2024 with Robert Morris leading the NEC in scoring defense (20.2 points per game). Loss tackle per game (7.2). Plungas’ experience in the coordinator position has led to the Dukes aiming for the Sun Belt title as another coach who will bounce off a schematic idea in 2025.
The Dukes will return the outstanding linebacker of the Prungas couple and work together in Trent Hendrick and Ganon Weathersby. Redshirt freshman Trashon Dye is expected to be a budding star in that position, with Shepherd Transfer JT Kouame-Yao likely in Dukes’ rotation at linebacker. Redshirt senior Brandon Feek was listed in two hours last year and could also consider mixing in 2025.
To Robert Morris, two linebackers lost 100 tackles and 10 tackles in 2024, as the Colonials linebacker was offensive and productive under Plunga.
Photo courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications
