Football:Cajuns Choose Fourquier As Defensive Coordinator

Daryl Cetnar, Sports Information –

LAFAYETTE- University of Louisiana at Lafayette head football coach Rickey Bustle announced on Monday that Kevin Fouquier (pronounced FOO-quay) has accepted the position of defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.

Fouquier comes to Louisiana after having served as defensive coordinator/defensive line coach at Florida International in 2006.  He replaces Brent Pry, who was the Cajuns defensive coordinator/linebackers coach from December 18, 2001 until his release on December 11, 2006.

In his only season at FIU, Fouquier helped the Golden Panthers defense improve in six key statistical categories from the previous year.  FIU led the Sun Belt in total defense and ranked 27^th in the nation in 2006 – just one year after finishing 76^th in the nation in total defense during the 2005 campaign.  FIU’s fourth ranked pass defense, up from 52^nd in 2005, led the SBC and was bested by only Virginia Tech, Wisconsin and Louisiana State.  In addition, the Golden Panthers led the nation in tackles for loss.  FIU also improved its rush defense, interceptions and pass efficiency defense under Fouquier.

“I’m excited to have Kevin join our football staff,” said head coach Rickey Bustle.  “His years of experience and success, along with his passion for the University and Ragin’ Cajuns football, make him a great fit for our program.

“When I began talking to people about possible candidates, Kevin’s name came up many times.  Our players will be excited about what he will add to our program.”

Prior to his stint at FIU, Fouquier spent five seasons at Middle Tennessee, the last three as assistant head coach and recruiting coordinator.  He coached the linebackers for three seasons and the defensive linemen for two seasons.  The Blue Raiders shared the SBC title during his first season, 2001, while their scoring defense led the SBC, and was 17^th in the nation, during his final season in Murfreesboro, 2005.

No stranger to Louisiana, Fouquier, a Franklin native, is a 1989 Louisiana-Lafayette graduate.  He was a student assistant coach throughout his undergraduate years, 1985-89, as the Cajuns went 29-26 during that span – including four straight winnings seasons under head coach Nelson Stokley.

Four seasons removed from a brief stretch as defensive coordinator at Teurlings High School in the spring of 1991, Fouquier would land at Louisiana Tech.  He was the defensive line coach for five seasons from 1995-99, adding recruiting coordinator responsibilities in 1998.

Other coaching stops for Fouquier include Central Arkansas as the defensive coordinator in 2000, Sam Houston State coaching the defensive line from 1993-95 and graduate assistant positions at Texas A&M in 1991-93 and Texas-El Paso in 1990.

Sixteen players recruited and/or coached by Fouquier have advanced to the NFL, while 24 have earned all-conference honors.  He has coached the last two Sun Belt Conference Defensive Players of the Year in MT’s Jeff Littlejohn in 2005 and FIU’s Keyonvis Bouie in 2006.  All three of the Golden Panthers linebackers finished ranked in the top seven nationally in tackles for loss with two of them earning invitations to the upcoming National Football League scouting combine in Indianapolis. 

Fouquier’s hiring is pending approval by the University of Louisiana System Board of Trustees.