Stokley led the Cajuns for 13 seasons from 1986-98 and ranks second on the school’s all-time coaching victories list.  The Kennedy, Texas native boasted seven winning seasons, including three straight winning seasons from 1993-96 when the Cajuns were members of the Big West Conference.

After a 2-9 season in 1992, the Cajuns made one of the best turnarounds in major college football history en route to an 8-3 mark in 1993 and a share of the Big West Championship.

Stokley also guided the Cajuns to a Big West Championship in 1994 and put together a 14-4 record in his three seasons of conference play. 

He served as athletic director from April 6, 1988 until December 31, 1992.

Stokley coached Cajuns greats Brian Mitchell, Orlando Thomas, Damon Mason, Jake Delhomme and son Brandon Stokley.  Coach Stokley is best-known for leading the Cajuns to a 29-22 upset of No. 25 Texas A&M.

Stokley, who attended Crowley High School, had coaching pit stops at Louisiana State, Virginia Tech and Clemson before taking over at then-USL.  He was named head football coach on November 30, 1985 and remained an Acadiana area resident ever since.

Athletic Network Footnotes: Please click here for Nelson Stokley’s AN profile: http://athleticnetwork.net/site.php?pageID=55&profID=2536