Midnight in Chattanooga: The game, the team and the dream behind the rise of JMU football

During a five-year stretch in the middle of the decade, the James Madison Dukes emerged as one of the elite programs in FCS football. Behind a confident coach and an established recruiting pipeline, the Dukes steamrolled their way to four playoff appearances, one national championship and a 49-15 record from 2004-2008.

The origins of this run, however, began much earlier — in critical moments and decisions made during a long rebuilding effort. Madison football had most recently been marked b...