Southeastern Louisiana names Frank Scelfo new head football coach

HAMMOND, La. – Southeastern Louisiana Football ushered in a new era on Tuesday afternoon, as veteran coach and Louisiana native Frank Scelfo was introduced as the 16th head football coach in school history in the Victory Club at Strawberry Stadium.

Scelfo, whose hire is pending approval of the University of Louisiana System’s Board of Supervisors, comes to Hammond with over 30 years of coaching experience. Scelfo replaces Ron Roberts, who stepped down earlier this month after six seasons.

“I’m excited and thankful for the belief (President) Dr. (John) Crain and (Director of Athletics) Jay Artigues have shown by selecting me as the new head football coach at Southeastern Louisiana,” Scelfo said. “There’s a great opportunity to win championships on the conference and national level right here in Hammond. Southeastern is a special place and I’m honored to be back home in Louisiana to lead the Lions.”

In searching for a new leader for the SLU football program, Artigues was looking for someone who would help the Lions reach higher levels of excellence in all aspects of being a student-athlete. Artigues believes he found the right man to take Southeastern to new heights in Scelfo.

“The Southeastern Athletics mission statement outlines our expectations for our student-athletes to excel in the classroom, in the community and in competition,” Artigues said. “In Frank Scelfo, we’ve found a leader with the experience, knowledge and personality to grow our program and help produce well-rounded student-athletes who are successful both on and off the field.”

Scelfo takes over a SLU program that has posted four winning campaigns in the past five seasons. Artigues believes Scelfo has the ability, experience and knowledge to help Southeastern to return to postseason play.

“Coach Scelfo is dedicated to being a visible member of our community and committed to raising the academic performance of our football student-athletes,” Artigues stated. “Frank Scelfo is the head coach that can connect our program with the high schools in our state and do a great job of recruiting the state of Louisiana. We feel in Coach Scelfo we have identified a great role model and leader for our student-athletes.”

Scelfo, who hails from Abbeville and spent 14 seasons coaching collegiately in-state at Tulane and Louisiana Tech, is eager to become a member of the Southeastern and Hammond communities.

“I’m very familiar with Hammond, especially the hospitality of the people here,” Scelfo commented. “My family and I can’t wait to get out and meet as many people in the area as we can. Hammond’s our new home and I’m ready to become a part of my new community.”

As a former baseball student-athlete at ULM and the father of a pair of student-athletes, Scelfo knows the importance of academic dedication towards the overall success of a student-athlete.

“We will stress academics from day one,” Scelfo said. “Our expectations for every member of our program is to leave here with a championship ring on one hand and a diploma in the other. One without the other is unacceptable.”

Artigues was impressed with Scelfo’s wealth of knowledge and experience at every level of football and his pedigree of working with players who have been successful as professionals.

Scelfo comes to Hammond after spending the past two seasons as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at UTSA. In 2016, his offense set 15 school records and helped the Roadrunners to their first-ever bowl game, the Gildan New Mexico Bowl.

Prior to his time in San Antonio, Scelfo coached for three seasons with the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars as an offensive assistant working with the quarterbacks. In his final season in Jacksonville, quarterback Blake Bortles threw for 4,428 yards and 35 touchdowns under Scelfo’s tutelage.

In 2010 and 2011, Scelfo was the quarterbacks coach at Arizona. During his tenure with the Wildcats, he tutored future NFL quarterbacks Nick Foles and Tom Savage. Foles, a third-round draft pick in 2012, will start Super Bowl LII this Sunday for the Philadelphia Eagles.

The three seasons prior saw Scelfo serve as the offensive coordinator at Louisiana Tech. Scelfo’s stint in Ruston included a 2008 Independence Bowl victory – the Bulldogs’ first bowl victory in three decades.

Before heading to north Louisiana, Scelfo spent 11 seasons on the staff at Tulane, including the final eight as the Green Wave’s offensive coordinator. Scelfo was the recruiting coordinator and tight ends coach for a 1998 TU squad that was one of two FBS teams to finish undefeated that season, recording a 12-0 mark and a Liberty Bowl victory.

Scelfo’s Green Wave offenses were ranked among the national passing leaders in five different seasons and four Tulane quarterbacks – Patrick Ramsey, J.P. Losman, Lester Ricard and Shaun King – went on to play in the NFL. A total of eight Tulane players were selected in the NFL Draft during Scelfo’s time in the Big Easy, highlighted by two-time Pro Bowl running back Matt Forte.

Scelfo’s Tulane offenses produced the school’s all-time passing leader in Ramsey, the program’s all-time rushing and all-purpose yardage leader in Mewelde Moore and Roydell Williams, who set the school’s career record for touchdown receptions. Moore was only the second player in NCAA history to top both 4,000 rushing and 2,000 receiving yards under Scelfo’s guidance.

Scelfo’s coaching career began at Prairie View High School in Bastrop, where he served as head coach for the 1982-83 seasons. He also coached at Jesuit High School (1984), River Oaks High School (1985-86), Vidor High School (1987), Orangefield High School (1988), Chapel Hill School (1989-91), Kilgore College (1992-94) and Galena Park North Shore High School (1995).

Scelfo was a four-year letter winner on the baseball diamond at ULM from 1978-81, earning the school’s Athlete of the Year award as a senior. He earned his bachelor’s degree from his alma mater in 1981, before completing his graduate studies in 1983.

He and his wife, Holly, are the parents of two sons, Anthony and Jordan. Anthony played both football and baseball at Tulane and was selected in the 2008 MLB Draft by the Tampa Bay Rays. Jordan was on the baseball and football teams at SLU’s Southland Conference rival Incarnate Word from 2012-15.

Scelfo will have to hit the ground running in his new position, as National Signing Day is Feb. 7. Scelfo stressed the importance of recruiting the fertile talent pool in Louisiana.

“Our number one focus in recruiting will be the state of Louisiana,” Scelfo said. “It’s not just the talent in this area, but the passion the players in this state bring to the field. The type of student-athletes we’re looking for to be Lions are right here in Louisiana.”

The Lions will open their first spring under Scelfo on March 13. SLU officially opens the 2018 season on Sept. 1 at FBS foe – and Scelfo’s alma mater – ULM.

2018 Southeastern Louisiana Football Schedule
Sept. 1 – at ULM
Sept. 8 – at LSU
Sept. 15 – Central Arkansas*
Sept. 22 – at Lamar*
Sept. 29 – Northwestern State*
Oct. 6 – at Incarnate Word*
Oct. 13 – Houston Baptist*
Oct. 20 – Abilene Christian*
Oct. 27 – at Sam Houston State*
Nov. 3 – McNeese*
Nov. 15 – at Nicholls*

* – Southland Conference contest

What They’re Saying About New SLU Head Football Coach Frank Scelfo
“Frank Scelfo is someone who has had a major impact on my life both on and off the field. Not only is he a great teacher and motivator of the game of football, but in life as well. I am grateful to know Coach Scelfo and to have played for him. I wouldn’t be where I am today without him.” – Nick Foles, Quarterback, Philadelphia Eagles

“I was lucky enough to play for Frank my first two seasons in the NFL. Not only did I learn a ton of football by playing for him but I also formed a relationship that will last a lifetime.” – Blake Bortles, Quarterback, Jacksonville Jaguars

“Frank Scelfo checks all of the boxes when it comes to being a successful head coach. The players will feel his fire and passion for the game from day one and will see how much he cares for them as men. Southeastern Football has just taken a huge step forward.” – Todd Wash, Defensive Coordinator, Jacksonville Jaguars, 2017 Sporting News NFL Coordinator of the Year

“I can’t tell you how excited I am to know Southeastern Football is in the hands of Frank Scelfo. I can say from personal experience there’s not a better man out there to continue to lead the Lions both on and off the field. Frank’s coaching experience and Louisiana ties are second to none. I can personally vouch for what a great teacher and man he is. He and his wife, Holly will be unbelievable assets to Hammond and Southeastern Louisiana University.” – Pete Golding, Assistant Coach, University of Alabama

“Frank Scelfo will bring an exciting and aggressive brand of football to SLU. His ability to motivate and develop players to reach their maximum potential on and off the field is his greatest asset and it truly separates him from so many others.” – Derek Dooley, Offensive Coordinator, University of Missouri

The Frank Scelfo File

Hometown
Abbeville, Louisiana

Wife
Holly

Children
Anthony, Jordan

Education
ULM, 1981 (Master’s, 1983)

Playing Experience
ULM, Baseball, 1978-81
NOTE: 1981 ULM Athlete of the Year

Coaching Experience
2018 – Southeastern Louisiana – Head Coach
2016-17 – UTSA – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
2013-15 – Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL) – Senior Offensive Assistant/Quarterbacks
2010-11 – Arizona – Quarterbacks
2007-09 – Louisiana Tech – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
1999-2006 – Tulane – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
1996-98 – Tulane – Recruiting Coordinator/Tight Ends
1995 – Galena Park North Shore HS – Defensive Backs
1992-94 – Kilgore College – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks/Wide Receivers
1989-91 – Tyler Chapel Hill HS – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
1988 – Orangefield HS – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
1987 – Vidor HS – Defensive Backs
1985-86 – River Oaks HS – Head Coach
1984 – Jesuit HS – Defensive Backs
1982-83 – Prairie View HS – Head Coach