2004 Flashback: Connecting with champion Brandon Beach

James Madison football is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of its 2004 NCAA Division I-AA (now FCS) national championship. As part of the celebration, we recently caught up with members of the title squad to reflect on the season and their lives over the last decade. Today we hear from Brandon Beach, who played as a senior defensive tackle on the title team and lives in the area working nearby at Bridgewater College. JMU will formally celebrate the anniversary as part of Champions Weekend at the Nov. 22 Elon game. Tickets are available here.

At what point of the season did you get the feeling that this could build into something special?

We were at Villanova and it was storming and they wanted to delay the game. Coach Matthews pulled all the seniors into the hall and asked what we wanted to do and everyone said they wanted to play no matter the conditions.

What were your thoughts and emotions entering the championship game?

I really just tried to look at it as just another game.

Going into the half, what was your confidence level about the outcome of the game?

We played in so many close games leading up to this one that it just seemed like another game.

When during the game did you realize that this team would be the champions?

Early in the fourth when Montana couldn't stop our running game I thought we could end the game as champions.

Describe your thoughts and emotions as the offense ran out the final moments on the clock?

Fulfillment of all that the team went through to get to that point.

What does it mean that your team is still the only team to win a championship without playing a home game?

In one word, pride. Coach Matthews played into the fact that no one respected JMU. At the Furman game he told us that no matter if we won we would be the away team and even if we made it to Chattanooga we would be the away team and he was right.

Was the national championship your favorite game from the 2004 season or does another stand out?

The Maine game when we battled back to win is another standout game to me. I still remember the announcer telling the fans not run on the field and then D.D. had a one-handed catch in the back of the end zone to win the game.

Did you have a nickname on the team? If yes, what was it? If not, who had the best one?

People just called me by my last name Beach. A few other names I remember were Killer, Chain Saw, Flounder, Rocket and Chucky

How often do you return to campus or when was the last time you returned?

I normally get there once or twice a year.

What do you think of the newly-expanded 25,000-seat Bridgeforth Stadium?

Different feel from the old stadium.

Does football still play a role is your life? If so, how?

Yes, I am a strength and conditioning coach that works with football teams.

What did you first do after graduating from JMU? (personally and/or professionally)

After graduation, I worked at JMU as an assistant strength and conditioning coach under Jim Durning. I then moved to Hofstra University as the director of strength and conditioning until they dropped the football program. Leaving Hofstra, I became the director of strength and conditioning at Wagner College.

What are your current professional endeavors?

Director of Strength and Conditioning at Bridgewater College

Where do you currently reside?

Just moved back into Harrisonburg, Virginia, with my wife Lauren and daughter Brielle

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Completed Event: Football versus Weber State on August 30, 2025 , Win , 45, to, 10

Completed Event: Football at Louisville on September 5, 2025 , Loss , 14, to, 28

Completed Event: Football at Liberty on September 20, 2025 , Win , 31, to, 13

Upcoming Event: Football versus Georgia Southern on September 27, 2025 at 1:30 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Football at Georgia State on October 4, 2025 at 3:30 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Football versus Louisiana on October 11, 2025

Upcoming Event: Football versus Old Dominion on October 18, 2025

Upcoming Event: Football at Texas State on October 28, 2025 at 8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. CT)

Upcoming Event: Football at Marshall on November 8, 2025

Upcoming Event: Football versus App State on November 15, 2025

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2004 Flashback: Connecting with champion Brandon Beach

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