HEAD COACH MARK HUDSPETH

Head Coach Mark Hudspeth

Third Year Cajuns’ Head Coach Eyes A Sun Belt Championship After 18 Wins & Two New Orleans Bowl Championships In

Mark Hudspeth is a winner. It’s that simple. tory on Dec. 13, 2010, Hudspeth quickly grabbed the atten- First Two Seasons At From his days coaching Winston (Miss.) Academy to tion of Ragin’ Cajuns fans with his dynamic personality, the 1997 state title to December, 2011 when he provided energy and desire. He tirelessly toured the Acadiana area, Ragin’ Cajun fans a last-second 32-30 win over San Diego visiting all five parishes to speak to any group that wanted Louisiana State in the program’s first bowl appearance in 41 years, to listen to him talk about Ragin’ Cajuns football. Hudspeth has been a champion. And seemingly overnight, he reversed UL’s football Like football, winning is all he knows. fortunes, taking the Ragin’ Cajuns from nine losses in 2010 Hired as Louisiana’s 26th head coach in program his- to a school-record tying nine wins in both 2011 and 2012. He is 18-8 in his two seasons, including a 10-1 record in Mark Hudspeth vs. All Opponents home games and a 4-0 mark against in-state opponents. More importantly, the Cajuns have produced in the Arizona ...... 0 -1 North Carolina Central ...... 1 -0 classroom. In the five semesters under Hudspeth, the Arkansas State ...... 0 -2 North Dakota ...... 0 -1 Cajuns have turned in four of the best semesters academi- Arkansas Tech ...... 5 -0 North Greenville...... 1 -0 cally since grades were tracked in 1982. Arkansas-Monticello ...... 6 -1 North Texas ...... 1 -1 From the day he arrived on campus, Hudspeth began Carson-Newman ...... 2 -0 NW Missouri State ...... 0 -2 educating the Ragin’ Cajuns on how to win. Central Arkansas ...... 4 -1 Oklahoma State ...... 0 -2 One of the first lessons he gave came when he had the Delta State ...... 5 -3 Quachita Baptist ...... 3 -1 offense and defense engage in an old-fashioned tug of war. East Carolina ...... 1 -0 Samford ...... 0 -1 As the rope went back and forth with neither team gener- FIU ...... 2 -0 San Diego State ...... 1 -0 ating enough force to win the battle, Hudspeth stopped the Florida...... 0 -1 South Alabama ...... 1 -0 Cajuns and had both teams move to the same side of the Florida Atlantic ...... 2 -0 Southern Arkansas ...... 7 -1 rope, pointing out how much easier it is to move the rope Harding ...... 5 -2 Stillman ...... 1 -0 when everyone was on the same side and fighting for the Henderson State ...... 3 -0 Troy ...... 2 -0 same thing. Jacksonville State ...... 1 -0 Tulane ...... 1 -0 Months later in New Orleans with Louisiana down a Kent State ...... 1 -0 Tusculum ...... 4 -0 point with 35 seconds left and a seemingly endless length Lamar ...... 1 -0 ULM ...... 2 -0 of Superdome turf away from even having a chance to win, Lambuth ...... 1 -0 Valdosta State ...... 5 -5 the Ragin’ Cajuns remembered that lesson by digging in Middle Tennessee...... 1 -0 West Alabama...... 5 -2 and driving 49 yards in five plays to set up Brett Baer’s Newberry ...... 1 -0 West Georgia ...... 6 -1 game-winning 50-yard field goal as time expired. Nicholls State ...... 1 -0 Western Kentucky ...... 1 -1

36 2013 Football www.ragincajuns.com LOUISIANA RAGIN’ CAJUNS HEAD COACH MARK HUDSPETH

“We never let go of the rope”, Hudspeth told the Cajun tional core values that he learned growing up in small town fans in attendance. Mississippi, with the willingness to shake things up when The Hudspeth Coaching File The development of the Cajuns in the two seasons given the chance. Personal under Hudspeth has been dramatic. Louisiana has posted A master motivator, he takes advantage of every the first back-to-back nine win seasons in program history opportunity to teach a lesson to the Cajuns. Hometown: Louisville, Miss. Birthday: Nov. 10, 1968 in Montgomery, Ala. and with consecutive R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl victo- Prior to the FIU game in 2011, he surprised the Ragin’ Family: Married to the former Tyla McConnell ries, the Cajuns have gone from 41 straight years without a Cajuns by outfitting them in black helmets and black pants, Two sons: Gunner (17) & Major (3), bowl appearance to owning a bowl winning streak. a combination that was never used before. The motivation One daughter: Carley (14) In fact, Louisiana is one of just eight schools that has worked as Louisiana ended a two-game losing streak Date Hired At Louisiana: Dec. 13, 2010 won nine or more games in each of the last two years, against the Panthers. including a bowl game, joining Alabama, Boise State, Last year, Hudspeth introduced an all black uniform, Education: Winston Academy, 1988 Cincinnati, Florida State, Ohio, Oregon and South Carolina. complete with a fleur-de-lis on the chest and inspirational Delta State University Hudspeth also boldly predicted that home games at French slogans on the back. The Cajuns responded with a B.S. in Health & Education, 1992 Cajun Field would be the place to be and all but demanded last-minute win over WKU. Central Arkansas University that fans be there. True to his word, the Ragin’ Cajuns have Hudspeth is also a teacher, knowing that the onus is on M.S. in Secondary School Admin., 1993 gone 10-1 at home in his two seasons, including a perfect him to not only win football games, but to do so the right 5-0 record in 2011, only the fourth time in stadium history way. He realizes it is more important that he help the Coaching Experience (and first since 1987). Cajuns fans believed the young Ragin’ Cajuns players make the transformation from young Head Coach: coach, setting a school record for season tickets sold in 2011 adults to men, knowing that he has been entrusted with Louisiana, 2011-present that helped to set a stadium record by averaging 29,171 the lives of his players by their parents and families. 18-8 Overall Record fans per game in the 31,000 seat facility. The increase of Hudspeth, 44, came to Lafayette after serving as the 84-29 Career Record (Nine Years) 11,788 fans per game was the highest in the nation. passing game coordinator at Mississippi State for two sea- 2011 New Orleans Bowl Champions Hudspeth was rewarded for turning around the Ragin’ sons (2009-10), helping the Bulldogs end eight years of 2012 New Orleans Bowl Champions Cajuns, being named a finalist for both the Liberty Mutual football frustrations by posting an 8-4 record and a Gator North Alabama, 2002-08 Coach of the Year and Paul Bear Bryant Awards. Bowl appearance in his final season. 66-21 Overall Record (Seven Years) The NFL has also paid attention to what is happening After three years as an assistant coach at Delta State Gulf South Champions (2003 & 2006) with the Ragin’ Cajuns. In 2011, Dwight Bentley (Detroit) (1999-2000) and Navy (2001), Hudspeth took over as head NCAA Div. II Semi-Finals (2003, 2005, and Ladarius Green (San Diego) were selected in the NFL coach at North Alabama and the winning quickly com- 2007 & 2008) Draft. in 2012, seven Cajuns seniors earned invitations to menced. He guided the Lions to a 66-21 record in seven NCAA Div. II Quarter-Finals (2006) NFL preseason camps, seasons (2002-08), winning two Gulf South Conference 2003 & 2006 Gulf South Coach of the Year A 21-year coaching veteran, Hudspeth carries a 84-29 titles and making five appearances in the NCAA Division II Assistant Coach: career record in nine seasons as a collegiate head coach into Championship, advancing to the semi-finals three times Mississippi State, 2009-10 the 2013 season, winning 10 or more games five times and (2003, 2005 & 2008). Passing Coordinator/WR having winning records in eight straight campaigns. Inheriting a program that had three consecutive losing No. 15 Final AP Ranking, 2010 When you include his 25-1 record in two years as head records, Hudspeth turned things around quickly, helping 2010 Gator Bowl coach at Winston Academy (1997-98), Hudspeth owns a the Lions to a 13-1 record in just his second season (2003). Navy, 2001 109-30 record (.784) in 11 years as a head coach. North Alabama claimed the league title with a perfect 9-0 O!ensive Coordinator Hudspeth’s coaching philosophy focuses on the tradi- mark and advanced to the NCAA Championship for the first Delta State, 1999-2000 O!ensive Coordinator 2000 NCAA Div. II National Champs Nicholls State, 1994-95 WR & TE (1994), Running Backs (1995) Central Arkansas, 1992-93 Graduate Assistant 1992 Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference Champs. Playing Experience: Delta State University, 1987-91 Four Letters (1988-91) Started at Safety (1990) & QB (1991) Honors & Awards: Coach of the Year Finalist, Liberty Mutual COY, 2011 Finalist, Paul “Bear” Bryant Award, 2011 2003 & 2006 Gulf South Coach of the Year

2013 Football www.ragincajuns.com LOUISIANA RAGIN’ CAJUNS 37 HEAD COACH MARK HUDSPETH

time in seven years, defeating Southern Arkansas and The winning didn’t stop there as the Lions went 11-3 one in golf, and was voted the school’s most versatile ath- Carson-Newman before falling at North Dakota in the and advanced to the NCAA semis in 2005, the first of four lete as a senior. national semi-finals. straight 10-win campaigns. Success came to Hudspeth at Winston Academy as he For his effort, Hudspeth was named the Gulf South UNA went 11-1 in 2006, including 8-0 in league play to helped the Patriots to the state title game as a senior in Coach of the Year while also being voted the NCAA Division claim its second Gulf South title, with Hudspeth earning his football 1987. He went on to earn all-county honors three II Region 2 Coach of the Year by the American Football second coach of the year award while also being selected as times and play in the Mississippi High School All-Star game Coaches Association. the NCAA Division II Region 2 Coach of the Year again. The as a senior. The Lions were led that year by Wil Hall, who com- Lions followed that up with a 10-2 record and an appear- Hudspeth continued his playing career at Delta State pleted 72-percent of his passes, throwing for 3,531 yards ance in the NCAA Division II quarterfinals in 2007. (1987-91), lettering all four years. He started at safety as a and 30 touchdowns en route to winning the Harlon Hill Award, Hudspeth capped off his tenure at North Alabama by junior and at quarterback as a senior. the NCAA Division II equivalent of the Heisman Trophy. guiding the Lions to a 12-2 record in 2008 and making their After graduating from Delta State with a degree in fourth straight NCAA appear- health and education in 1992, Hudspeth began his coach- ance, falling in the semifi- ing career as a graduate assistant at Central Arkansas, nals. receiving his master’s degree in secondary school adminis- Born on Nov. 10, 1968 tration in 1993. in Montgomery, Ala., While at Central Arkansas, he was part of the coaching Hudspeth moved to staff that guided the squad to the 1992 Arkansas Louisville, Miss. before the Intercollegiate Conference crown. age of one. In a town with a Hudspeth earned his first full-time coaching position population of just 7,000, he when he went to Nicholls State, coaching the wide receiv- quickly became one of the ers and tight ends in 1994 and the running backs in 1995. towns’ most notable young His high school alma mater beckoned in 1996 as men. He lettered a total of 16 Hudspeth returned to Winston Academy as head coach, times in five sports at guiding the team to a 25-1 record and the 1997 state title Winston Academy, four each during his two seasons. in football, baseball and It was back to Delta State in 1999, where he served as The Hudspeth Family (L-R): Gunner, Mark, Major, Tyla & Carley. track, three in basketball and offensive coordinator for two seasons, winning the NCAA Division II national title in 2000. The Patriot offense broke THE HUDSPETH COACHING FILE 21 school records, 12 Gulf South Conference records and six NCAA Division II records en route to the title. S EAD OACH A H C Hudspeth moved to U.S. Naval Academy to serve as the Year School Overall Conf. Notes offensive coordinator in 2000 before leaving to become the 1997-98 Winston Academy 25 -1 16 -0 1997 State Champions head coach at North Alabama the following year. Hudspeth, who is married to the former Tyla McConnell, 2002 North Alabama 4 -7 3 -6 has two sons, Gunner (16) and Major (2), and one daughter, 2003 North Alabama 13 -1 9 -0 Reached Div. II Semi-Finals Carley (13). GSC Coach of the Year, GSC Champs 2004 North Alabama 5 -5 4 -5 2005 North Alabama 11 -3 7 -2 Reached Div. II Semi-Finals 2006 North Alabama 11 -1 8 -0 Reached Div. II Quarter-Finals GSC Coach of the Year, GSC Champs 2007 North Alabama 10 -2 7 -1 Reached Div. II Semi-Finals 2008 North Alabama 12 -2 7 -1 Reached Div. II Semi-Finals UNA Totals 66 -21 45 -15 (Seven Years) 2011 Louisiana 9 -4 6 -2 New Orleans Bowl Champions 2012 Louisiana 9 -4 6 -2 New Orleans Bowl Champions Louisiana Totals 18 -8 12 -4 (Two Years) Collegiate Totals 84 -29 51 -17 (Nine Years) Career Totals 109 -30 67 -17 (11 Years)

AS ASSISTANT COACH Year School Position Postseason 1999 Delta State Offensive Coor. 2000 Delta State Offensive Coor. NCAA Div. II National Champions 2001 Navy Offensive Coor. 2009 Mississippi State Passing Coor./WR 2010 Mississippi State Passing Coor./WR No. 15 Final AP Ranking Toyota Gator Bowl

38 2013 Football www.ragincajuns.com LOUISIANA RAGIN’ CAJUNS ASSISTANT COACHES REED STRINGER JAY JOHNSON Assistant Head Coach/ Offensive Coordinator/ TE & Recruiting Coor. Quarterbacks Reed Stringer is in his third sea- An offensive strategist with son at Louisiana where he serves over two decades of coaching ex- as assistant head coach. He works perience, Jay Johnson is in his third directly with the Cajuns tight ends season at Louisiana. He serves as while also serving as recruiting the Cajuns’ o!ensive coordinator coordinator. and quarterbacks coach. Stringer was named the 2012 In two seasons under Johnson’s Sun Belt Conference Recruiter of tutelage, the Cajuns have posted the Year by Scout.com after coordinating the recruiting e!orts for a two of the top three o!ensive seasons in school history, including class that was ranked tops in the Sun Belt and "fth among the non- school records for total o!ense (5,914) and points (461) in 2012. BCS automatic qualifying programs. Blaine Gautier emerged as one of the top o!ensive threats in Prior to working at Louisiana, Stringer served as the o!ensive the south in 2011, throwing for a school record 2,958 yards and 23 player development coach at Clemson in 2010. touchdowns. Last year, Terrance Broadway replaced Gautier and set In his "rst season with the Cajuns, Stringer helped Ladarius Green a new school record for total o!ense (3,611). emerge as one of the top tight ends in the country, earning "rst team Johnson came to Lafayette after serving as quarterbacks coach All-Sun Belt honors while also being a semi-"nalist for the Mackey at Central Michigan in 2010, helping sophomore Ryan Radcli! (3,358 Award, which is given to the nation’s top tight end. Green was a yards & 17 TDS) post one of the top seasons in school history. fourth round selection by the San Diego Chargers in the NFL Draft. Johnson began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Stringer’s efforts as recruiting coordinator have paid bigger Columbia-Hickman High in Columbia, Mo., in 1993. He was a graduate dividends. His initial class produced eight players who were able to assistant at Missouri in 1994 prior to working as o!ensive coordina- contribute to the Cajuns’ success last year with the rest redshirting. tor role at Augsburg that season. From 1995-96, Johnson served as Before his time at Clemson, Stringer spent seven seasons at Mis- o!ensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator at Truman State. sissippi State in a variety of roles. He began as a graduate assistant Johnson moved on to Kansas for the next "ve seasons (1997-2001) with the Bulldogs o!ense from 2003-2004. Stringer was then named as an assistant coach. He worked as quarterbacks coach from1997- the tight ends and special teams coach from 2005-08. 2000 before handling the running backs in 2001. He took over as Mississippi State’s coordinator of recruiting op- Johnson’s career led him to Southern Miss in 2003, starting a "ve- erations in 2009 and coached alongside current Cajuns head coach year tenure that had him working with the tight ends (2003), running Mark Hudspeth that year. backs (2004) and three as o!ensive coordinator and quarterbacks As tight ends coach, Stringer responded in 2005 by helping Eric coach (2005-07). USM #ourished, making "ve bowl appearances. Butler become the school’s all-time touchdown receptions leader Johnson headed to Louisville, where he spent the 2008 and 2009 among tight ends. Under Stringer’s guidance, Butler and teammate seasons, the last serving as the team’s tight ends coach. Dezmond Sherrod worked their ways to professional football careers. A 1992 graduate of Northern Iowa, Johnson was a three-time All- Stringer’s coaching career began as a graduate assistant/tight Gateway Conference selection as a quarterback and two-year team ends coach at Delta State in 2002. captain. He led UNI to a 31-8 record during his career, three confer- He was a four-year starter on Delta State’s o!ensive line, helping ence championships and three appearances in the NCAA Division DSU claim the 2000 NCAA Division II national championship with I-AA playo!s. He "nished his career with almost 500 completions then-DSU o!ensive coordinator Mark Hudspeth. In addition to that and threw for more than 8,000 yards and 58 touchdowns. The 1992 ‘00 national title, he was also instrumental in helping Delta State win team "nished the season 12-2 overall and ranked No. 3 nationally. the 1998 and 2000 Gulf South Conference titles. Johnson earned President’s Academic Excellence honors in the Stringer was a two-time academic All-Gulf South Conference Gateway Conference and was a Dean’s List scholar at Northern Iowa player and an Academic All-American and was named to the GSC where he compiled a 3.47 GPA. He held a perfect 4.0 grade point av- Academic Honor Roll three times. He earned a bachelor’s degree erage while completing his master’s degree at Missouri. That earned in business management from Delta State in 2001 and completed a him a Superior Graduate Achievement Award from the Department master’s in business administration from Delta State in 2003. of Health and Exercise Science. Stringer was born on January 26, 1979 in Canton, Miss. He is Jay and his wife, Lori, are the parents of one son, Cole. married to the former Emily Howell and they have two sons, Smith and Banks. Jay Johnson at a glance Reed Stringer at a glance College: Northern Iowa (1992) Years at UL: 3rd College: Delta State (2001) Coaching Experience: 18 seasons Years at UL: 3rd Missouri (1994), graduate assistant; Augsburg (1994), o!ensive Coaching Experience: 11 seasons coord/recruiting coord.; Truman State (1995-96), o!ensive coord./ Delta State (2002), graduate assistant; Mississippi State (2003-04), reruiting coord.; Kansas (1997-98), graduate assistant; Kansas graduate assistant; Mississippi State (2005-08), tight ends & special (1999-2000), quarterbacks; Kansas (2001), running backs; Southern teams; Mississippi State (2009), coor. of recruiting operations; Miss (2003-08), tight ends, running backs, offensive coord. & Clemson (2010), o!ensive player development; Louisiana (2011- quarterbacks; Louisville (2008), administrative assistant; Louisville present), assistant head coach, recruiting coordinator & tight (2009), tight ends; Central Michigan (2010), quarterbacks; Louisiana ends. (2011-present), o!ensive coord. & quarterbacks.

2013 Football www.ragincajuns.com LOUISIANA RAGIN’ CAJUNS 39 ASSISTANT COACHES JAMES WILLIS MITCH RODRIGUE Defensive Coor./ Running Game Coord./ Linebackers Offensive Line James Willis, who earned a na- A 26-year collegiate coaching tional championship at Alabama veteran, Mitch Rodrigue is in his and has also worked at Alabama third season as the running game and Texas Tech, is in the "rst year as coordinator and offensive line defensive coordinator with Louisiana. coach at Louisiana. A 12-year collegiate coaching Rodrigue joined the Cajuns veteran, Willis has "ve years expe- sta! after working with the tight rience working in the SEC and Big ends and o!ensive tackles at South 12 conferences. He will be counted on to develop the young Ragin’ Alabama for three seasons (2008-10). Cajuns defense that ranked eighth in the league in total defense in 2012. Rodrigue has quickly developed an o!ensive line that ranks among Willis spent the 2006-08 seasons as the linebackers coach at the best in the country. The "ve regulars started all 13 games together Auburn under head coach Tommy Tuberville. The Tigers ranked No. in 2012, helping Louisiana rank in the top 35 nationally averaging 7 nationally in scoring defense in 2006 and followed with a No. 6 193.5 yards rushing, a 55-percent increase from 2011. Inheriting a ranking in 2007 and a No. 14 ranking in scoring defense in 2008. line that allowed 39 sacks in 2010, Rodrigue has molded a unit that Auburn appeared in two bowls during his tenure, the 2007 AT&T gave up just 13 in 2012 to rank 13th in the country. Cotton Bowl and the 2007 Chick-"l-A Bowl. The Tigers defeated Rodrigue’s work has led to great success. He has worked with 11 Nebraska 17-14 in the Cotton Bowl and defeated Clemson 23-20 teams that earned bowl invitations, nine while an assistant at South- in overtime in the Chick-"l-A. He also coached a pair of Freshman ern Miss and in each of his "rst two seasons with the Cajuns. All-Americans at linebacker at Auburn in Tray Blackmon (2006) and Prior to his arrival at South Alabama, Rodrigue spent the previous Spencer Pybus (2008). nine seasons at Southern Miss, where he coached the o!ensive line Willis moved to Alabama in 2009, helping the Tide complete a (2003-07), tight ends (2000-02) and running backs (1999). He was perfect 14-0 season by defeating Texas, 37-21 in the BCS Champion- named one of the Top 10 recruiters from a non-BCS conference by ship game. He helped guide a defense that "nished second nationally Rivals.com in 2006. in total defense, working with All-American linebacker and Butkus From 2004-06, Rodrigue’s o!ensive lines allowed 10 sacks or fewer, Award recipient Rolando McClain. including just seven sacks in 2004. In 2007, he tutored linemen George Willis rejoined Tuberville’s sta! as defensive coordinator at Texas Batiste and Travis Cooley, who became the school’s "rst All-Americans Tech in 2010. on the line in a half-century. A three-year starter at Auburn (1990-92), he recorded 344 career In 2004, he helped develop Jeremy Parquet, who was selected in tackles. He was the SEC Co-Defensive Freshman of the Year in 1990. the seventh round by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2005 NFL Draft. He was a "rst team All-SEC pick as a junior in 1992. During his "rst season leading the USM o!ensive line (2003), Willis declared for the NFL Draft following his junior year and was Rodrigue helped the Golden Eagles win their fourth Conference USA a "fth round selection (119th overall) by the Green Bay Packers. He title and earn an invitation to the Liberty Bowl despite working with a played seven seasons in the NFL, playing for Green Bay (1993-94), unit that had lost three starters to the NFL. Rodrigue saw three play- Philadelphia (1995-98) and Seattle (1999). ers - Parquet ("rst-team), Jim Hicks (second-team) and Chris White A member of six playo! teams during his NFL career, Willis played (third-team) - garner all-league honors. in 93 career games, totaling 221 tackles (129 solo). Rodrigue also coached several seasons at his alma mater, Nicholls Willis returned to Auburn in 2002 to serve as a student assistant State (1993-98), serving as tight ends and o!ensive line coach as well coach while he completed his undergraduate degree. After earning as o!ensive coordinator. his bachelor’s degree in 2003, he served as a defensive graduate as- Rodrigue earned a bachelor’s degree in health & physical edu- sistant in 2003. cation from Nicholls State in 1988 and a master’s degree in educa- Willis received his "rst full-time coaching position in 2004 when he tional administration and supervision from Southern Miss in 1990. He became linebackers coach at Rhode Island. He took over as lineback- helped Nicholls State to win the 1984 Gulf Star Conference title and ers coach at Temple in 2005 before making his to Auburn in 2006. reach the second round of the NCAA Division I -AA playo!s in 1986. A native of Huntsville, Ala., Willis played high school football at A native of Thibodaux, La., Rodrigue was born on Jan. 2, 1965. He J.O. Johnson High School, earning Parade All-America honors as a senior. is the father of three children, Maci, Madden and Mallori. He and his wife, Shalane, have three children, daughter, Jade, and sons Jalen and Jordan James. Mitch Rodrigue at a glance James Willis at a glance College: Nicholls State (1988) College: Auburn (2003) Years at UL: 3rd Years at UL: 1st Coaching Experience: 26 seasons Coaching Experience: 12 seasons Nicholls State (1987-88), student assistant; Southern Miss (1989- Auburn (2002), student assistant; Auburn (2003), defensive 90), graduate assistand; Pearl River CC (1991-92), o!ensive line; graduate assistant; Rhode Island (2004), linebackers; Temple Nicholls State (1993-98), tight ends, o!ensive line & o!ensive coord.; (2005), linebackers; Auburn (2006-08), linebackers; Alabama (2009), Southern Miss (1999), running backs; Sothern Miss (2000-02), tight associate head coach/linebackers; Texas Tech (2010), defensive ends; Sothern Miss (2003-07), o!ensive line; South Alabama (2008- coordinator; Virginia Destroyers (UFL) (2011-13), defensive 10), o!ensive tackles & tight ends; Louisiana (2011-present), running coordinator; Louisiana (2013), defensive coordinator. game coord. & o!ensive line

40 2013 Football www.ragincajuns.com LOUISIANA RAGIN’ CAJUNS ASSISTANT COACHES TIM EDWARDS MARQUASE LOVINGS Assistant Coach/ Assistant Coach/ Defensive Line Running Backs A 12-year coaching veteran who Running backs coach Marquase boasts a half-dozen years playing Lovings is ready for his third year experience at the professional on the Ragin’ Cajuns coaching sta! level, Tim Edwards is in his third after helping Louisiana post the top season as the defensive line coach o!ensive seasons in school history. for Louisiana. The development of the of- Edwards came to Lafayette in fensive back"eld in Lovings’ two January, 2011, reuniting with Mark seasons has been dramatic. Hudspeth, whom he played with at Delta State from 1987-91. In 2011, Lovings’ helped freshman Alonzo Harris emerge early in His hard work has shown big dividends. the season, "nishing the year with 700 yards and eight touchdowns in 2012, Edwards helped Emeka Onyenekwu to earn "rst team All- to earn Sun Belt Freshman of the Year honors. Sun Belt honors while his mentoring of Cordian Hagans and Christian In 2012, Harris was joined by freshmen E!rem Reed and Torrey Ringo helped each develop into two of the best linemen in the league. Pierce, allowing the Cajuns to improve their rushing from 125.2 to Edwards came to Louisiana after spending the previous three 193.5 yards per game, ranking them 34th nationally and second in seasons as co-defensive coordinator, recruiting coordinator and the Sun Belt. defensive line coach at Florida A&M. He was part of a program that Prior to joining the Cajuns, Lovings spent four seasons at Missis- went 25-9 during his three seasons in Tallahassee. sippi State (2007-10), "rst as a defensive quality control coach before Prior to his stint with the Rattlers, Edwards served a "ve-year taking over as defensive graduate assistant for his "nal two seasons. tenure at Hampton (2003-07). He coached the defensive line and It was at MSU where he met and worked with Mark Hudspeth, who linebackers, in addition to serving as the recruiting coordinator. served as the passing game coordinator from 2009-10. Edwards helped bring in a wealth of talent that resulted in one Lovings’ main focus with the Bulldogs defense was with the of the best four-year runs in school history. Hampton won three defensive linemen. He worked under defensive line coaches David consecutive conference championships (2004-06), made three NCAA Turner and Chris Wilson. playo! appearances (2004-06) and captured back-to-back Black Col- The Bulldogs had several standout defensive linemen during lege National Championships in (2004 and 2005). Lovings’ four years, including Titus Brown. Brown went on to play Edwards began his career as a defensive line and linebackers with the Cleveland Browns from 2008-12. Lovings helped three de- coach for Kentucky State in 1998 and eventually had stops with the fensive linemen earn All-SEC honors, with Brown (2007 second team), Arena Football League 2’s Carolina Rhinos and Pearl River Community Fletcher Cox (2009 freshman team) and Pernell McPhee (2010 "rst College, before landing at Hampton in 2003. team) taking those honors. Cox went on to become the 12th pick by His days on the sideline have helped to develop the professional the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2012 NFL Draft. careers of several former players including: Justin Durant (Detroit), Lovings experienced coaching in a two bowl games at MSU, Kendall Langford (St. Louis), Marcus Dixon (New York Jets) Cletidus including the Bulldogs’ rout of Michigan, 52-14, in the 2011 Gator Hunt (Green Bay Packers), Kitwana Jones (Saskatchewan Rough Riders, Bowl. It was the worst loss Michigan had ever su!ered in any bowl CFL), Dewayne Woods (Georgia Force, AFL) and Chris Avery (Grand game in its history. Rapids Rampage AFL). Lovings also helped MSU win the 2007 Liberty Bowl, as the Edwards is a 1991 graduate of Delta State, earning a bachelor’s Bulldogs defense held Central Florida to just three points and kept degree in aviation management. He was a two-time "rst team All-Gulf Knights’ star running back Kevin Smith from breaking the NCAA South selection as a defensive lineman and played alongside Hud- single-season rushing record. The junior "nished 61 yards shy of speth, who was a four-year letterman at DSU from 1986-90. Edwards Barry Sanders’ mark of 2,628 yards set for Oklahoma State in 1988. was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame in the fall of 2008. In 2007, Lovings’ defensive line faced three of the top four rushers A 12th round pick by the New England Patriots in 1991, Edwards in the country during the season, holding each of them well under spent the 1991-92 seasons on the Patriots roster. He later played their season average. MSU limited Arkansas’ Darren McFadden to from 1995-97 with the Saskatchewan Rough Riders of the CFL. 88 yards (143.8 season avg.), Tulane’s Matt Forte to 47 yards (177.3 A native of Philadelphia, Miss., Edwards is a member of the NFL season avg.) and UCF’s Smith to 119 yards (188.3 season avg.). Retired Players’ Association, the CFL Retired Players’ Association and A graduate of and former walk-on tight end with Howard Univer- the American Football Coaches Associations. sity, Lovings also has high school coaching on his resume with stints He is married to the former LuAnn Shockency and they have at Dunbar High in Washington, D.C. and at his alma mater, P.K. Yonge three children, Halena, Timothy II and Kenci. High in Gainesville, Fla. He earned his master’s in sports administration from Mississippi Tim Edwards at a glance State in 2008 and pursued a doctorate in education at MSU. College: Delta State (1991) Years at UL: 3rd Marquase Lovings at a glance Coaching Experience: 16 seasons College: Howard (2006) Kentucky State (1998-2001), defensive line & linebackers; Carolina Years at UL: 3rd Rhinos (AF2) (2002), defensive coordinator; Pearl River CC (2002), Coaching Experience: 6 seasons defensive line; Hampton (2003-07), defensive line, linebackers & Mississippi State (2007-08), defensive quality control; Mississippi recruiting coord.; Florida A&M (2008-10), co-defensive coord. & State (2009-10), graduate assistant; Louisiana (2011-present), recruiting coord.; Louisiana (2011-present), defensive line running backs

2013 Football www.ragincajuns.com LOUISIANA RAGIN’ CAJUNS 41 ASSISTANT COACHES JORGE MUNOZ TIM REBOWE Assistant Coach/ Assistant Coach/ Wide Receivers Safeties Jorge Munoz is in his sixth year Tim Rebowe begins his 10th as an assistant coach at Louisiana season as an assistant coach at and the third on the sta! of Mark Louisiana, and the third on the sta! Hudspeth. He will serve again as of coach Mark Hudspeth. He will receivers coach in 2012. once again work with the Cajun Munoz’ work with the Cajuns safeties. He previously tutored the wide receivers the last two years safeties from 2004-07 and coached has been exemplary. Javone Law- the linebackers from 2008-10. son (134 catches, 2,107 yards, 15 TDs) and Harry Peoples (122-1,514-6) The safeties responded to Rebowe in 2011. Jemarlous Moten concluded their careers in 20112 as only the third set of receivers in "nished second on the team with 80 tackles and combined with school history to each have 100 receptions in a career. Lionel Stokes to intercept "ve passes, returning three for scores. In 2011, Munoz played an integral role in the Cajuns throwing for The Cajuns’ linebackers had stellar seasons for three years under over 3,500 yards. Lawson (63 catches, 1,092 yards) posted one of the Rebowe, with a member of the linebacker corps leading the team in top seasons by a Louisiana receiver while Harry Peoples and Darryl tackles each season. Surgent also emerged as steady targets for Blaine Gautier. Rebowe guided linebackers Antwyne Zanders and Grant Fleming, Record o!ensive results are nothing new for Munoz, who served who ranked "rst and second on the team in total tackles in 2009, as the passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach at UL from respectively. Both players were named All-Sun Belt Conference. For 2008-10. In his "rst season, he helped the Cajuns to "nish seventh in Zanders, it was his third All-SBC recognition, while Fleming earned the nation in rushing, 13th in total o!ense and 24th in scoring. All-SBC for the second time. That same season, Munoz helped quarterback Michael Desormeaux The Cajuns’ pass defense had a strong "rst year under Rebowe in earn Sun Belt O!ensive Player of the Year while running back Tyrell 2004, "nishing with a No. 11 national ranking in passing yards allowed. Fenory rushed for 1,375 yards and 19 touchdowns. Fenroy, a Doak Both of his starting safeties advanced to the NFL. Strong safety C.C. Walker Award Semi"nalist, was named the 2008 Sun Belt Player of Brown (101 tackles) was drafted by the Houston Texans in the 2005 the Year after becoming the school, Sun Belt and State of Louisiana NFL Draft and free safety Antwain Spann, who signed as a free agent all-time leading rusher. with the New York Giants, played in NFL Europe and several seasons The Cajuns “Play Station” attack of 2008 shattered the school with the New England Patriots. record for total o!ense with 5,390 yards, scoring a school-record 54 TDs. In 2005, the Cajuns’ pass defense was ranked 23rd nationally, al- In 2010, the Cajuns ranked 34th nationally in passing o!ense, lowing only 190 yards per game despite opponents facing an uphill despite starting three di!erent quarterbacks due to injury. Tight end climb in eight games. The Cajuns trailed after three quarters just twice Ladarius Green led the nation in receiving yards and touchdowns by in 2005. a tight end and earned All-America honors from CBSSports.com. Rebowe came to UL after three seasons as cornerbacks coach at Prior to UL, Munoz spent three seasons at Eastern Illinois (2005- Sun Belt rival La.-Monroe. 07), starting as receivers coach in 2005, co-o!ensive coordinator in Prior to his stint with the Warhawks, Rebowe spent six years at 2006 and o!ensive coordinator in 2007. Nicholls State where he served as defensive backs coach (1995-2000), Munoz spent two seasons as the receivers coach at Charleston special teams’ coordinator (1995-98), recruiting coordinator (1998- Southern (2003-04). In 2004, his wide receivers ranked "rst, second 2000) and wide receivers coach (2000). In 1996, the Colonels pass and fourth in the Big South Conference. The Buccaneers passing e$ciency defense ranked seventh nationally in I-AA. o!ense led the Big South and ranked 17th in the NCAA. A native of Norco, La., Rebowe began his coaching career in 1987 At Anderson, his 2002 o!ense ranked "fth in passing, while the at his alma mater, Destrehan High School. 2001 squad was sixth in passing, setting 22 school marks. His quar- His ties to the Cajuns began in 1994 when former Destrehan High terback, Joel Steele, was the MVP of the HCAC both years. star Damon Mason transferred to Louisiana from Jones County JC. A 1998 graduate of Bethany College, Munoz was a two-time Mason would go on to have one of the best careers by a defensive All-American quarterback. He played one year in the Arena Football back in Cajuns history. League with the Albany (NY) Firebirds. Munoz was a multi-sport Rebowe earned his bachelor of science in physical education from standout at San Diego Hilltop High. Louisiana State University in 1987. Munoz and his wife Erin have two children, Ava (8) and Alex (6). He is married to the former Kim Robichaux and they have a daugh- ter, Samantha, and a son, Tyler. Jorge Munoz at a glance Tim Rebowe at a glance College: Bethany (1998) Years at UL: 6th College: LSU (1987) Coaching Experience: 15 seasons Years at UL: 10th Bethany (1998), quarterbacks & wide receivers; Southeastern Coaching Experience: 25 seasons Missouri (1999-2000), wide receivers; Anderson (2001-02), o!ensive Destrehan (La.) High (1988-91), defensive backs & special teams; coord. & quarterbacks; Charleston Southern (2003-04), wide Destrehan (La.) High (1992-94), head coach; Nicholls State (1995-99), receivers; Eastern Illinois (2005), wide receivers; Eastern Illinois defensive backs, special teams & recruiting coord.; Nicholls State (2006-07), o!ensive coordinator & quarterbacks; Louisiana (2008- (2000), receivers & recruiting coord.; ULM (2001-03), cornerbacks; 10), passing game coord. & qarterbacks; Louisiana (2011-present), Louisiana (2004-07), safeties; Louisiana (2008-10), linebackers; wide receivers Louisiana (2011-present), safeties

42 2013 Football www.ragincajuns.com LOUISIANA RAGIN’ CAJUNS ASSISTANT COACHES DAVID SAUNDERS TROY WINGERTER Asst. Coach/CB & Director of Football Recruiting Assistant Operations/Pro Liason David Saunders is in his third Former Louisiana standout Troy season as the cornerbacks coach Wingerter entered into a new role and assistant recruiting coordinator with the Ragin’ Cajuns football for the Ragin’ Cajuns. program in 2011, becoming the Saunders came to Louisiana director of football operations for from Mississippi, where he had head coach Mark Hudspeth. three stints on the Ole Miss sta!, Wingerter started his career the last beginning in April 2010 as with the Louisiana Athletic Depart- administrative operations coordinator. ment in 1997. He was the tight ends coach as a graduate assistant His "rst two seasons at Louisiana have resulted in good results. from 1997-99. In 2011, he mentored cornerbacks Dwight Bentley and Melvin White, Wingerter coached the defensive ends in 2001 under head coach who helped the Cajuns secondary to return seven interceptions for Jerry Baldwin and served in the role of Cajuns’ tight ends coach and touchdowns. Bentley was a third round selection by the Detroit Lions. recruiting coordinator from 2002-10 for Rickey Bustle. Wingerter was In 2012, White teamed with Jemarlous Moten to give Louisiana two of named Bustle’s assistant head coach for the 2009 and 2010 season. the most versatile corners in the Sun Belt. White (Carolina Panthers) Wingerter helped developed the tight ends from a frequent red and Moten (Baltimore Ravens) each signed NFL free agent contracts. zone target for Cajuns quarterbacks to a legitimate weapon in the Saunders sandwiched a pair of coaching terms at Ole Miss around UL o!ense. Cajuns tight ends made 160 receptions for 2,283 yards three years as head football coach at Millsaps College (2003-05). with 22 touchdowns from 2008-10. During his "rst employment at Ole Miss, which began in December In 2009, tight end Luke Aubrey led the team in receptions while 1998, Saunders established an acclaimed recruiting program and was tight end Ladarius Green topped the team in yards. Green was one lauded as one of the top nine recruiters in the nation by Tom Lem- of just three underclassmen named to the 2009 Mackey Award Watch ming of ESPN.com. He joined the Ole Miss athletic sta! after working List. with Tennessee during their national championship season of 1998, In 2010, Green was one of just eight semi"nalists for the presti- where he assisted with on-campus recruiting. gious Mackey Award, which is given to the nation’s top tight tend. Saunders worked two years as defensive backs coach and recruit- He was a "rst team All-Sun Belt selection, a "rst team All-Louisiana ing coordinator at Arkansas State (1996-97). He spent the 1995 season pick and garnered second team All-America honors by CBSSports. coaching safeties and special teams at Baylor. com and fourth team All-America accolades by Phil Steele. From 1993-94, Saunders was the defensive coordinator and Entering his senior season, Green was named to the 2011 Mackey defensive backs coach at Nicholls State. It was there that he worked Award Watch List and Bilitneko! Award Watch List. Green was also with Ragin’ Cajuns head coach Mark Hudspeth, who was the Colonels tabbed as a Top 5 draft eligible tight end by ESPN.com insider Mel wide receivers and tight ends coach in 1994. Kiper, Jr. and was named a preseason All-American by BleacherReport. From 1990 to 1992, Saunders coached the defensive line at Geor- com (1st Team), Athlon (2nd Team), GoDaddy.com (3rd Team), Phil gia Southern and helped lead the Eagles to the 1990 NCAA Division Steele (4th Team) and CDSdraft.com (Honorable Mention). I-AA national championship. Wingerter tutored a pair of red zone targets in Kevin Belton and From 1984 to 1989, Saunders coached defensive backs and receiv- Luke Aubrey in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Both players had six re- ers while serving as recruiting coordinator at Jacksonville State. ceptions, but each caught three for touchdowns. Wingerter coached While at JSU, Saunders coached defensive back Eric Davis, who Josh Joerg during his All-Sun Belt season in 2002. went on to earn NFL All-Pro honors in 1995 while playing for Super After earning his bachelor’s degree in 1993, Wingerter embarked Bowl Champion San Francisco. Saunders also coached receiver Keith on a four-year career in corporate business working in Lafayette, New McKeller, who played in three Super Bowls with the Bu!alo Bills. Orleans, Colorado and Montana. Upon his return to UL, Wingerter A native of Douglasville, Ga., Saunders received his bachelor’s de- earned a master’s degree in education. gree from Auburn in 1982. He was a walk-on lineman for the Tigers. A native of New Orleans, Wingerter was a "rst-team All-Louisiana He is married to the former Jan Perry and the couple have two chil- selection and an All-South Independent pick as a senior in 1991. He dren, Riley, a reserve quarterback for the Cajuns in 2012, and Kaylee helped guide the Cajuns to three straight winning seasons during his "rst three years from 1987-89 and was a permanent team captain as David Saunders at a glance a senior. College: Auburn (1982) He was selected as a member of the all-time University of Louisiana Years at UL: 3rd football team as compiled by the Lafayette Daily Advertiser. Coaching Experience: 28 seasons Wingerter and his wife, Cydra, have two sons, Holden and Aid- Andalusia (Ala.) High (1982-83), assistant coach; Jacksonville State en. (1984-89), defensive backs, receivers & recruiting coord.; Georgia Southern (1990-92), defensive line; Nicholls State (1993-94), Troy Wingerter at a glance defensive coord. & defensive backs; Baylor (1995), safeties; Arkansas College: Louisiana (1993) State (1996-97), defensive backs & recruiting coord.; Tennessee Years at UL: 15th (1998), on-campus recruiting assistant; Mississippi (1998-2002), Coaching Experience: 17 seasons recruiting coord.; Millsaps (2003-05), head coach; Mississippi (2006), Louisiana (1997-99), graduate assistant; Louisiana (2001), defensive linebackers; Mississippi (2010), administrative assistant; Louisiana ends; Louisiana (2002-10), tight ends & recruiting coord.; Louisiana (2011-present), assistant recruiting coord. & cornerbacks (2011-present), director of football operations

2013 Football www.ragincajuns.com LOUISIANA RAGIN’ CAJUNS 43 SUPPORT STAFF RYAN TRICHEL TOM RYBACKI Director of Player Defensive Graduate Assistant

Personnel Tom Rybacki returns for his third season as a defensive graduate assistant coach for Ryan Trichel begins his third the Ragin’ Cajuns, working primarily with the season as a member of the Ragin’ linebackers. Cajuns support sta! and his "rst as In his "rst two seasons with the Cajuns, director of player personnel. Rybacki has worked one-on-one with the Trichel joined the sta! in Janu- outside linebackers. In 2011, his instruction helped Devon Lewis- ary, 2011 as assistant director of Buchanan to make 78 tackles and 10.5 TFL and earn All-Sun Belt football operations and assistant honors. recruiting coordinator. He was Rybacki came to Louisiana after spending six years at Jacksonville promoted to his current full-time position in January, 2013. State (2005-10). After playing linebacker for the Gamecocks, Rybacki Trichel’s e!orts helping to organize the recruiting e!orts of the served as a student assistant coach from 2005-08 before taking over Cajuns sta! has paid big dividends. The 2012 recruiting class was as a graduate assistant/cornerbacks coach for his "nal two seasons ranked "rst among Sun Belt Conference schools and "fth among the (2009-10). non-BCS automatic qualifying programs by Scout.com., while 247 At Jacksonville State, Rybacki guided cornerbacks T.J. Heath and Sports had the class ranked 68th in the nation. A.J. Davis. Heath earned All-America honors in 2009 and went on to In his role as player personnel director, Trichel works closely play with the Bu!alo Bills while Davis earned a spot with the New with Coach Hudspeth to manage the day-to-day recruiting e!orts, Orleans Saints. handling correspondence and managing a recruiting management Led by a secondary that ranked eighth in the nation in passs program for the sta!. He is responsible for designing all recruiting defense, Jacksonville State earned a victory over Ole Miss in 2010. material and coordinating all on-campus recruiting events and visits, The Huntsville, Ala. native holds a bachelor’s degree in history including the annual Cajuns Football Junior Day in 2013 when over (2004) and master’s degree in public administration (2009), both from 275 prospects attended from around the country. Jacksonville State. He also received a master’s degree in education Trichel maintains the XOS recruiting database, junior and senior from Louisiana in 2013. recruiting boards and the team roster. He coordinates the social media e!orts within the coaching sta!. Trichel’s impact with the program goes beyond his recruiting role. He helps manage the Quarterback Club, a group of Cajuns support- ZACH LOCHARD ers who provide additional funds and services to the program, and Defensive Graduate Assistant assists with the operation of all football summer camps and clinics. As an undergraduate at Southeastern Louisiana University, Trichel Zach Lochard returns for his second worked for two years (2004-06) as an operations assistant in the season as the graduate assistant coach for athletic department, assisting in the game day operations for seven the Ragin’ Cajuns defense, working as assis- sports, including football. tant defensive line and outside linebackers Trichel’s duties were wide-spread, from assisting with season ticket coach. sales, game day parking and concessions to stadium set up and break Lochard came to Louisiana in 2011 to down and video board operations. serve as an intern for the strength and conditioning program and Trichel graduated from SLU in 2006 with a degree in general moved to the football sta! for the 2012 campaign. management and enrolled in graduate school at Mississippi State, In his "rst season on the sidelines, Lochard worked primarily with earning a master’s degree in sports administration in 2008 and a the defensive line and aided in the emergence of Emeka Onyenekwu second master’s in business administration in 2010. and Cordian Hagans, who combined to make 11.5 sacks and 22.5 TFL. While at Mississippi State, Trichel worked for "ve years as an ad- Hagans signed a free agent contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers while missions assistant in the MSU Admissions Department, helping with Onyenekwu joined the Miami Dolphins. the recruitment of prospective students. He handled on-campus A 2008 graduate of the University of Northern Colorado with a recruiting visits, maintained the university’s scholarship database bachelor’s degree in sports and exercise science, Lochard went on to and managed the recruiting e!orts for international students. earn a master’s degree in human performance and physical education An active member of the American Football Coaches Association, from Adams State in 2012. He is currently working towards com- Trichel served on the Program Committee for the 2012 convention in pleting the requirements for a doctorate in the Louisiana education Nashville, Tenn., helping to supervise panel discussions. leadership program. Lochard began his coaching career as the assistant wide receiv- ers coach at Northern Colorado in 2008. He moved to Western State Ryan Trichel at a glance College in 2009, serving as defensive backs coach in 2009 and tight College: Southeastern Louisiana (2006) ends coach and assistant strength and conditioning coach in 2010. Years at Louisiana: 3rd In 2009, he is earned his certi"cation from USA Weightlifting. Coaching Experience: 2 seasons Louisiana (2011-12), assistant recruiting coordinator/assistant director of football operations; Louisiana (2013), director of player personnel

44 2013 Football www.ragincajuns.com LOUISIANA RAGIN’ CAJUNS SUPPORT STAFF WILLIAM PEAGLER CARRIE PITRE Offensive Graduate Assistant Administrative Assistant

William Peagler is in is third season Carrie Pitre is in her second season as working with the Louisiana football program the administrative assistant to head coach and his second as a graduate assistant coach Mark Hudspeth and the football sta!. She assisting with the Ragin’ Cajuns o!ense. joined the sta! on a temporary basis in July, Peagler will once again assist Mitch 2012 and was added in a full-time capacity Rodrigue with the o!ensive line, working later in the year. primarily with the o!ensive tackles. As an administrative assistant, Pitre is responsible for managing In 2012 season, Peagler worked with an o!ensive line that ranked Coach Hudspeth’s daily schedule and overseeing the administrative 13th nationally, allowing only 13 sacks. The veteran o!ensive line needs of the sta!. helped the Cajuns average 193.6 yards rushing per game to rank 37th Pitre works with Coach Hudspeth to manage the day-to-day needs nationally and second in the Sun Belt Conference. of the Quarterback Club, a group of Cajuns supporters who provide Peagler helped Leonardo Bates and Jaron Odom earn all-conference additional funds and services to the program. honors. Odom signed with the NFL’s Carolina Panthers. A native of Mace, Brazil, Pitre moved to the Lafayette in 1994. She Peagler came to Lafayette in 2011 to serve as o!ensive quality is attending South Louisiana CC and working on associate’s degrees in control assistant, working with head coach Mark Hudspeth and the both business and general studies with a concentration in business. o!ensive coaching sta!. She intends to pursue a bachelor’s degree in web design Peagler began his coaching career as a student assistant at Clem- The former Carolina Reeder, she married Nick Pitre in 2011 and son from 2006-09, primarily working with the o!ense. He was part the couple live in Arnaudville. of the 2009 team that won the Atlantic Division, assisting with the national recruitment e!orts that helped to bring three top-25 signing classes into the program. HUNTER BONVILLAIN In 2010, Peagler moved to Valdosta State, where he was tight ends Special Teams coach for the squad that won the Gulf South Championship. Peagler holds a bachelor’s degree in sport management from Clemson. Student Assistant

Hunter Bonvillain is in his third season SEAN MURPHY working with the Louisiana football program Offensive Graduate Assistant and his second as special teams student assistant. He assists Coach Hudspeth in all Sean Murphy begins his second season aspects of special teams preparation, including the daily position on the Louisiana football coaching sta! and meetings and video sessions. his "rst as an o!ensive graduate assistant Bonvillain joined the support sta! in 2011, working with the coach. He will assist Jorge Munoz in the defensive coaching sta!. He worked with the defensive line in 2011 coaching of the Louisiana wide receivers. and the safeties in 2012. Murphy joined the program for the A 2011 graduate of Lafayette High School, Bonvillain was a three- 2012 season as a student intern and focused on assisting o!ensive year letterman in football, playing at center. He was part of two state coordinator Jay Johnson and the rest of the o!ensive sta!. "nalist teams in baseball. A three-year letterman in football from 2008-10 at Millsaps College Bonvillain is majoring in health and physical education at Louisi- in Jackson, Miss., Murphy was part of two SCAC championship teams. ana. Sidelined by an injury as a senior in 2011, he served as a student as- sistant coach, working with the tight ends. Murphy earned a bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in GARRETT KREAMER education from Millsaps College in 2012. He is currently pursuing a Offensive Student Assistant master’s of arts degree in secondary education teaching at Louisiana. Garrett Kreamer returns for his second season as an o!ensive student assistant with CARTER KNIGHT the Ragin’ Cajuns. Defensive Student/Recruiting Kreamer aids coach Jorge Munoz work- ing with the Louisiana wide receiver unit Operations Assistant while also performing other functions for Carter Knight joins the Ragin’ Cajuns the o!ensive coaching sta!. coaching sta! for the 2013 season as a de- In addition, Kreamer is active in coordinating the recruiting e!ort, fensive student assistant. assisting both recruiting coordinator Reed Stringer and director of He will work with the defensive coach- player personnel Ryan Trichel in performing the day-to-day functions ing sta! while also aiding assistant coach and handling recruiting arrangements. Reed Stringer and director of player personnel Ryan Trichel with A 2009 graduate of Comeaux High School, Kreamer lettered four recruiting arrangements. times in football, starting at quarterback as both a junior and senior A native of Lafayette and a 2011 graduate of Mandeville High in 2007-08. He is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in healthy and physical School, Knight is majoring in kinesiology/sports management at education at Louisiana. Louisiana.

2013 Football www.ragincajuns.com LOUISIANA RAGIN’ CAJUNS 45 STRENGTH & CONDITIONING RUSTY WHITT JAKE RAYBURN Head Strength & Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach Conditioning Coach

Rusty Whitt began his tenure as the Jake Rayburn is in his seventh year as an University of Louisiana’s head strength and as an assistant strength and conditioning conditioning coach in October 2010. coach for the Ragin’ Cajuns. Whitt, who served in the United States He joined the University of Louisiana Army as a Senior Special Forces Communication Sergeant in the 10th strength and conditioning sta! in July 2006. Special Forces Group, came to Louisiana from Rice University where In his role, he assists in the day-to-day development and imple- he served as assistant coordinator of strength and conditioning from mentation of the o!-season, summer and in-season workouts for the March 2009 until his hiring at UL. Cajuns football team. His other duties at UL include overseeing the At Rice, Whitt designed and implemented year-round strength, strength and conditioning programs for baseball, softball, golf, soccer speed, mobility, cardiovascular conditioning and injury rehabilitation and tennis. programs for football, baseball, track and "eld and swimming. In the summer of 2006, Rayburn came to UL from Tulane, where he Prior to joining the sta! at Rice, he served in the United States Army served as an assistant strength and conditioning coach for two years from Aug. 2003-Jan. 2009. He was deployed to Iraq during Operation (2004-06). During that time, he worked with women’s basketball, Iraqi Freedom (OIF) V and VI. soccer and track and "eld. Whitt developed and initiated a comprehensive pre-deployment Following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, he was re- conditioning program for his Special Forces Team prior to and during located to Ruston, La., with the football team and was placed in charge OIF V and VI. He received a combat infantry badge, two Iraqi campaign of the in-season strength and conditioning program and game-day medals and an Army commendation medal with valor. duties. Upon returning to campus, he conducted o!-season workouts Whitt began his strength and conditioning career with graduate for men’s basketball. assistantships at Midwestern State University (Aug. 1995-June 1996) Prior to arriving at Tulane, Rayburn served as a graduate assistant and the University of Texas (June 1996-May 1997). He performed an at Middle Tennessee from 2001-04, assisting with workouts for all 15 internship in the strength and conditioning department at the U.S. sports. During that time, he worked directly with men’s & women’s Olympic Training Center (May-Sept. 1997). golf and tennis. Whitt had stints as an assistant strength and conditioning coor- Rayburn is originally from Martin, Tenn., and graduated from dinator for football at William and Mary (Dec. 1997-Aug. 1998) and Tennessee-Martin in 2001. He also completed an internship at Ten- Louisville (Aug.-Dec. 1998) before being named the head strength nessee during the summer of 2001, where he assisted with football and conditioning coach at Sam Houston State in Dec. 1998. and men’s basketball. At SHSU, Whitt served as an instructor in the kinesiology depart- He and his wife Andrea have two daughters, Callie and Hailey. ment and assisted in the design of a new weight facility. He also worked with current Ragin’ Cajuns men’s basketball coach Bob Marlin until Aug. 2003. JASON MANIKOWSKI Over his career, Whitt has participated in the 1997 Fiesta Bowl, 1998 Motor City Bowl, I-AA football playo!s and NCAA men’s bas- Assistant Strength & ketball tournament. Conditioning Coach Whitt earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and admin- istration from Abilene Christian University in 1994 and his master’s Jason Manikowski arrived at the Univer- degree in kinesiology from Texas in 1997. sity of Louisiana in June 2011 to serve as an He is a certi"ed strength and conditioning specialist through the assistant strength and conditioning coach. National Strength and Conditioning Association. Manikowski joined the Cajuns’ strength sta! after spending the previous 17 months as a strength and conditioning graduate assistant at TCU. While at TCU, Manikowski was the head strength coach for the Horned Frogs women’s basketball and equestrian programs. He de- signed all of the strength, speed and agility programs for women’s basketball, while assisting with football. In the summer of 2009, Manikowski served as an intern at TCU where he helped demonstrate proper technique in performing Olympic lifts and improving speed development. Prior to working at TCU, he was employed as a physical education teacher at St. Catherine’s High School in Racine, Wisc. In 2007, Manikowski was the assistant strength and conditioning Chris Campbell Ryan Costello Steve Haley coach for football at his alma mater, Wisconsin–Oshkosh. Intern Intern Intern Manikowski holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education and health education from UW-Oshkosh, where he was a four-year starting free safety for the Titans. He was a second team Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference all-conference selection in 2005 and earned a preseason All-American accolade going into his senior campaign in 2006.

46 2013 Football www.ragincajuns.com LOUISIANA RAGIN’ CAJUNS DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS SCOTT FARMER Director of Athletics

Scott Farmer has over a 1985. Last year, baseball and softball made appearances in the NCAA quarter of a century working Championships and football repeated as New Orleans Bowl champs. in all aspects of intercolle- In the classroom, Ragin’ Cajuns student-athletes recorded the two giate athletics, perfectly pre- highest semesters in school history, including a 2.964 GPA during the paring him for when he took 2012 fall semester. All 16 teams have an Academic Progress Rate score over as Louisiana’s director of well above the NCAA requirements for their respective sports athletics in October 2011. Farmer’s e!orts have helped attendance at Louisiana events to Now in his seventh year reach an all-time high with both baseball and softball leading the working with the Ragin’ Ca- Sun Belt in attendance for the 14th straight year. Football set the Sun juns, the "rst three as senior Belt records for average and total attendance and led all FBS schools associate athletic director, with an increased average attendance of 11,788 in 2011. Cajuns fans Farmer’s knowledge and dominated the New Orleans Bowl each year, leading to consecutive insight has already impacted the Louisiana athletic programs. record crowds of 42,841 in 2011 and 48,828. Those marks shattered In his "rst six years with the Ragin’ Cajuns, Farmer has: the old bowl record for attendance by more than 18,000.
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facilities, including an $18 million renovation of football’s Veterans Master Plan, which was announced in March, 2013 and included major Memorial Stadium, new facilities for softball, tennis, track and soccer facility improvements that will assist all 16 sports. Tier one of the plan plus facility upgrades for both basketball and baseball. is underway, featuring the addition of o$ce space and locker rooms A native of Ormond Beach, Fla., Farmer was a four-year letterman at the Track-Soccer complex, creation of seating in the north end in swimming at Georgia Southern, being named the school’s male zone of Cajun Field and the addition of the Athletics Practice Facility scholar-athlete of the year in 1985. He received his bachelor’s degree adjacent to the Leon Moncla Indoor Practice Facility. in health and physical education in 1986 and a master’s in sports
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children, a daughter, Kaitlin and a son, Kyle. tickets sold, from just under 4,800 in 2007 to a record 10,912 in 2012;
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Committee, serving as the chair in both 2011 and 2012. Farmer is in the second year of a "ve-year term representing the Sun Belt Conference on the prestigious NCAA Leadership Council and also serves as the chair of the Sun Belt Conference Athletic Directors. Farmer’s "rst two years as athletic director resulted in great suc- cess for the Ragin’ Cajuns. In 2011-12, eight of the 16 UL programs advanced to postseason play in their respective sports, including football making its "rst bowl appearance since 1970 and men’s bas- ketball hosting a postseason game on campus for the "rst time since

2013 Football www.ragincajuns.com LOUISIANA RAGIN’ CAJUNS 47