McNeese hits ground running in search of new head coach

LAKE CHARLES – McNeese Athletic Director Heath Schroyer and Deputy AD Tanner Stines have hit the ground running to find the next head coach for the Cowboy Football program after former coach Frank Wilson resigned Tuesday morning after accepting a job as an associate head coach at LSU.

“I want to thank coach (Wilson) for all he’s done over two really hard years,” said Schroyer. “He helped take this program through some turbulent times and I will forever be grateful for his leadership during that time.”

Schroyer has not set a timetable to hire a new coach but says Cowboy Football is in the best shape it’s ever been.

“It can happen in two days or two weeks,” said Schroyer about when he expects to name a new coach. “I want to make sure we get the right person. I want to be able to vet the applicants adequately that we’re going to be talking to. This is a big hire for this university, for our community and this department and we need to get this right. Sooner than later is my goal but I’m not going to rush and not do my due diligence.”

Schroyer mentioned the decision will lie solely on him, Stines and the athletic department. Stines will also oversee football operations until a new coach is hired. An interim coach will not be named.

“I just thought that would be better than naming an interim for a short amount of time,” Schroyer mentioned.

Schroyer did not elaborate on the type of coach he’s looking for but emphasized the person will have to be the right fit.

“Getting the right person is the most important thing,” he said. “We need to get someone that really wants to be here and someone that understands the expectations of Cowboy football.

“This is a very coveted job. There are a lot of banners up there. Everyone in the country understands how good we could be and how good we should be. I’m not afraid to express the expectations we have for this program on and off the field.

“I think right now, we have the highest ceiling that we’ve ever had in Cowboy Football. You think about the new $15 million press box that will be built, back to playing night games next season, the commitment level from the University and the athletic department is at an all-time high. Look at the amount of strength coaches that we have now, the amount of trainers that we have, the academic support that we have now. It’s a better job now than it has ever been. Our ceiling is through the roof.

“There’s no question we’re going to get a great head coach in here and get us back to national prominence where we belong.”

Wilson compiled a 7-11 record in two seasons at McNeese.