Football: Napier Names Sale Offensive Coordinator
LAFAYETTE, La. – Two days after being introduced, new Louisiana head coach Billy Napier has announced the first hire to his staff as Rob Sale will take over as the new offensive coordinator. Sale will also coach the offensive line for the Ragin’ Cajuns.
"We hit a home run with the hire of Rob Sale." Napier said. "He is a quality teacher that gets results on the field. He is a well-connected Louisiana native that will be a key part of our in-state recruiting efforts. Last but not least, he is loyal, diligent and has a tremendous passion for this game and his players. We are excited to welcome him, Amanda and their two boys Briggs & Tripp to Lafayette."
Sale brings 12 years of experience as an offensive line coach after serving as the offensive line coach/running game coordinator under Napier for the Sun Devils in 2017.
While at Arizona State, the Sun Devils averaged 31.9 points per game while racking up an average of 427.6 yards of total offense including 179.9 yards per game on the ground.
Before his stint at ASU, Sale was at ULM, where he served as the offensive line coach in 2016. During his time there, the Warhawks ranked third in the Sun Belt Conference in rushing, averaging 181.3 yards per game, while finishing in the upper half of the 11-team league in fewest quarterback sacks allowed (19).
Sale served as offensive line coach at Georgia in 2015, where the Bulldogs averaged 375 yards total offense per game. The Georgia offensive line – led by All-SEC First-Team offensive tackle John Theus – paved the way for more than 190 rushing yards per game as part of the overall 375 yards in total offense per game.
Prior to joining the staff at Georgia, Sale spent three seasons at McNeese State serving as the offensive line coach for the Cowboys from 2012-13 before being elevated to co-offensive coordinator in 2014.
In his final season with McNeese, the Cowboys offense averaged 32.4 points per game, 396.5 total yards per game, 221.9 yards per game rushing and 174.6 yards per game passing.
In 2013 Sale help mold the offensive line into one of the best in the league despite having two players switch from the defensive side. Three of the five starting linemen earned All-Southland Conference honors – Arinze Agada (First Team), Quentin Marsh and Nick Gorman (Honorable Mention). Agada was named the Southland Conference’s Offensive Lineman of the Year, earned Southland Conference All-Academic honors, was named a FCS ADA Academic All-Star, earned First Team All-Louisiana honors, and was named to four postseason All-America teams (Associated Press, Sports Network, College Sports Madness, Beyond Sports Network).
Sale gained his first college coaching experience at Alabama from 2007-11 serving as a strength and conditioning assistant and offensive analyst. He began his coaching career in the high school ranks as the offensive line coach at Catholic High of Pointe Coupee in 2006.
Sale played collegiately at LSU where he appeared in 35 career games with 25 starts, including 13 at right guard as a senior in 2002. As a junior he saw starting action at both center and guard when the Tigers won the SEC title. During his sophomore season, he appeared at left guard where started the final five games of the regular season as well as the Peach Bowl.
In high school, Sale was a four-year letterwinner and two-time All-State selection (junior and senior seasons) as an offensive lineman at Neville High School.
Sale and his wife Amanda have two sons, Tripp and Briggs.
Sale’s hiring is pending approval by the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors.
SALE AT A GLANCE
Alma Mater: LSU, 2003
Hometown: Monroe, LA.
Wife: Amanda
Children: Tripp and Briggs
COACHING EXPERIENCE
2017, Arizona State (Offensive Line Coach, Run Game Coordinator)
2016, ULM (Offensive Line Coach)
2015, Georgia (Offensive Line Coach)
2012-14, McNeese State (Offensive Line Coach, co-Offensive Cordinator)
2007-11, Alabama (Strength and Conditioning Coach, Offensive Analyst)
2006, Point Coupee High School, LA. (Offensive Line Coach)
