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In the coming weeks, Nicholls State University will hire its next athletic director.
But while waiting, one of the university’s own will be responsible for keeping the ship above water.
Nicholls announced last Wednesday that women’s basketball coach DoBee Plaisance will fill in for outgoing AD Rob Bernardi, who resigned last week after 15 years as the school’s top athletic official.
Plaisance has been with Nicholls for eight seasons as a coach, helping turn the Colonels women’s basketball program into an annual contender.
But in recent years, Plaisance has also become involved on the administrative side of Nicholls athletic affairs and is one of the highest-ranking athletic officials in the school. Plaisance was named the Nicholls’ Senior Woman Administrator in 2011 — a position Bernardi said showed Plaisance’s bright mind and ability to unite decision makers within the department.
Nicholls President Dr. Bruce Murphy said Plaisance is the right choice for the position, adding that she’s beloved among the department and will be able to keep things moving forward during the search for Bernardi’s replacement.
“DoBee Plaisance is an experienced and respected member of our athletics department,” Murphy said in a news release. “She has had years of success as a coach, and her commitment to our student-athletes and her dedication to the Nicholls community are well-known. Nicholls is fortunate to have someone with her connections and experience to step in and ensure that the
program carries on without missing a beat.”
It is not yet known whether Plaisance will pursue the full-time position as Nicholls’ AD.
But for the time being, she said she looks forward to being the school’s top athletic official.
On the basketball hardwood, the Colonels have risen from the bottom of the pack to become perennial contenders in the Southland Conference. Under Plaisance, Nicholls has recruited several highly touted players and have sent two players to the professional ranks.
A New Orleans native, Plaisance led the Colonels to a 10-19 mark in 2015-16 — a rebuilding year for Nicholls.
The Colonels played several freshmen last season and are expected to be among the Southland Conference’s top teams next season.
Plaisance said she’s honored to be chosen as the school’s Interim AD and she vows to do as good a job as she can during her time in charge.
Bernardi resigned last week and Plaisance will takeover operations immediately. Bernardi will stay on-board as a consultant until Sept. 1.
“It’s certainly very humbling and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to continue the great things that are going on within our Athletic Department,” Plaisance said. “My heart is always with the student-ath-letes.”
NICHOLLS HIRES NEW SOCCER COACH
Just hours after Nicholls named its Interim AD, news got out that the school had hired its new soccer coach.
The athletic department sent out a news release last Wednesday, confirming that Michael “Mac” McBride was going to take over the program, which had been run by Dylan Harrison for the past several seasons.
McBride spent the past 15 seasons as the head coach of Notre Dame College men’s soccer team — a small NCAA Division II program in Ohio.
During his time with the program, McBride’s teams thrived. He posted a 213-76-16 overall record — the highest winning percentage among any Notre Dame College athletic program. He achieved that success while also coaching the team during a time of transition.
Under McBrde, Notre Dame College shifted from NAIA to NCAA Division II — a transition that is often difficult for programs to endure and still achieve success.
“It’s great to be a Colonel,” McBride said on his official Twitter account. “A new chapter now begins.”
For McBride, soccer has been part of his entire adult life.
As a player, McBride was an All-Conference performer at Walsh University from 1995-1998, earning NAIA All-American honors during his career.
After his playing career, McBride got his start in coaching as an assistant with Walsh — a post he held from 1998-2001.
He then moved to Notre Dame where he helped lead the Falcons to the NAIA National Championship Tournament four times (2005, 2008, 2009 and 2010). At the NCAA DII level, Notre Dame College experienced similar success, making the National Tournament every season since 2012.
McBride is a native of Birmingham, England. He and his wife Becky have moved to Houma.
Nicholls soccer begins its season in mid-August.
Plaisance
McBride
