Letter From Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Bryan Maggard
Good Morning Cajun Nation,
Yesterday afternoon it was announced that Billy Napier will be the next head football coach at the University of Florida. Words cannot express the gratitude I have for the body of work Coach Napier has accomplished these past four years as the head coach of the Ragin’ Cajuns. The success we have experienced within our football program, under his leadership, has elevated the profile of our Athletics Department, the University of Louisiana, the city of Lafayette, and Acadiana. I am certainly excited for Billy, Ali, Annie, Sammy Nelson, and Charlie, as they begin their next chapter in Gainesville, Florida, and wish them great success.
Coach Napier will coach through the Sun Belt Conference Championship game on December 4th while his status for the bowl game will be determined in the upcoming days. Rest assured our coaching staff will work diligently to prepare our team for Saturday’s contest against App State while also focusing on the academic success of our student-athletes and our recruiting efforts leading up to the December 15th early signing date.
Our attention will now be given to a thorough search process that will allow us to identify the next Head Coach of Ragin’ Cajuns Football. We will be committed to finding a coach who exemplifies the values of the University of Louisiana, the Department of Athletics, and the Cajun culture, an individual who prioritizes the academic success of our student-athletes, builds positive relationships with those he coaches, is a relentless recruiter, establishes tremendous rapport with Louisiana high school coaches, places a strong focus on player development, and is a proven winner. The #cULture has been established within our football program and its foundation is strong. Our next head coach will possess the ability to embrace this foundation, while continuing to strengthen it through the support of our leadership, fan base, and student-athletes.
To protect the integrity of our process, I will have no further public comments until such time we announce our new coach. Understanding there will be great interest and speculation associated with this search, as I shared with our student-athletes yesterday, unless you hear information directly from me, please do not assume it to be true.
Know that our best days lie ahead! Through record-setting fundraising, facility enhancements that will result in improved fan and student-athlete experiences, and continued competitive success, I am confident we will achieve heights greater than ever imagined. Thank you for your continued support of our amazing University and student-athletes.
Let’s Geaux,
Bryan Maggard, Ph.D.
Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics
