Colonels prepared to name next coach

After receiving 42 applicants for Nicholls’ vacant football head coaching position, a search committee has narrowed the candidates list to 10.

Unnamed sources close to the committee told the Tri-Parish Times at press time on Monday that Charlie Stubbs was the favorite to land the job.

But an official announcement will be made at a press conference on Tuesday at noon.

Stubbs has 10 seasons of experience as a college offensive coordinator at Louisville, Tulsa, UNLV, Tennessee-Martin, Memphis and Central Missouri.

He also spent time from 1998-2000 as passing game coordinator and quarterback coach at Alabama.

Search committee chairman Dagate said he was very impressed with the nationwide search. The Nicholls alumnus said the committee held a few factors in high regard when looking for a new coach.

“We were looking for experience while also placing academics at a high standard,” Dagate said. “We want to improve our academic standing for our student athletes.

“From a coaching standpoint, we were looking for someone that had at least some head coaching experience on some level. That’s some of the criteria we used along with someone who has experience recruiting as well and we’d like to see someone who will be able to create a peak relationship with some of our local coaches around here.”

Dagate said once the list is trimmed again, the athletic department would begin discussing a contract with the finalists.

“We’re not negotiating salary as a search committee,” he said. “We’re just trying to find the best couple of candidates to present to the university.”

Listed below is the list of the 10 finalists and most recent coaching experience.

• Texas A&M-Kingsville coach, Jeremy Atterberry (19-15 in three seasons as head coach, including a NCAA D-2 playoff birth in 2009)

• Liberty running backs coach, Frank Hickson (Oversaw a rushing attack that ranked No. 22 in the country in rushing in 2004 with 212 yards per game. Coached NFL halfback Samkon Gado when he was at Liberty)

• Central Arkansas running backs coach, Hud Jackson (Coached halfback Kentrel Rogers, who set Central Arkansas’s single-season touchdown record. Was previously head coach at Central Catholic High School in Morgan City and fielded a 67-34 record)

• Nicholls State wide receivers coach and interim head coach, Kent Keith (Has spent the past four seasons coaching wide receivers and halfbacks at Nicholls. Was named interim head coach after dismissal of former coach Jay Thomas)

• Charleston Southern University head coach, Jay Mills (Compiled a 40-38 in seven seasons at Charleston Southern. Won a Big South Championship in 2005 and won a Charleston Southern school-record nine games in 2006)

• St. Charles Catholic head coach, Frank Monica (Has coached at St. Charles Catholic since 1999 and has led the Comets to two state finals appearances. Also spent time as a collegiate assistant and has two tenures at Tulane)

• University of Louisiana-Lafayette linebackers coach, Tim Rebowe (Coached linebackers and safeties at UL-Lafayette since the 2004 season. Oversaw the Ragin’ Cajuns pass defense that ranked No. 11 and No. 23 nationally in 2004 and 2005)

• Grambling State University offensive coordinator/offensive line coach, James Spady (Has been at Grambling since 2009 and has helped turn around the Tigers’ offense. In his first season, Grambling led the SWAC in first downs and was fourth in total offense. Also spent 11 seasons at UTEP.)

• Former University of Louisville and Tulsa University offensive coordinator, Charlie Stubbs (Has 10 seasons experience as a college offensive coordinator at Louisville, Tulsa, UNLV, Tennessee-Martin, Memphis and Oregon State. Also spent time from 1998-2000 as passing game coordinator and quarterback coach at Alabama.)

• Former University of Louisiana-Monroe head coach, Charlie Weatherbie (Gathered a 31-51 record in seven seasons as UL-Monroe’s head coach. His Warhawks earned a road win against Nick Saban-coached Alabama in 2007. Also has head coaching experience at Navy and Utah State and won a bowl game at each location.

Nicholls linebacker Jordan Piper (right) and defensive end Zac Reddix combine to make a tackle in the Colonels’ win against Northwestern State. Nicholls continues its search for a new head football coach after releasing Jay Thomas. * File Photo / Tri-Parish Times