Former Cowboys applaud Viator’s return
Published 11:44 am Tuesday, December 3, 2024
- Matt Viator's return to McNeese thrills former players and coaches. (American Press Archives)
Most McNeese State faithful think the return of Matt Viator as head football coach is a grand slam.
For those who know him well and have worked and played under him, Viator’s return is a much more personal victory.
Monday Viator agreed to return to the McNeese sidelines after a nine-year absence with a five-year deal. With his first win next fall, he will break a tie with the legendary Bobby Keasler for the most victories in Cowboy history.
He replaces Gary Goff after three lackluster seasons and a 10-23 record. Viator will be re-introduced to McNeese fans Wedneday at a noon press conference.
However, those who have dedicated a portion of their lives to making McNeese football what it once was seem to be the happiest.
“It is a great move for the program, the school, and the community,” said former Cowboy quarterback and coach Kerry Joseph. “He is a guy from the area. You know he isn’t going anywhere. He is McNeese football.”
Joseph is perhaps the greatest player in Cowboy history and is currently the quarterbacks coach with the Chicago Bears. and is familiar with Viator’s work within the program.
“I love Coach V,” Joseph said. “He is the perfect guy for McNeese right now. He has done it before, and you know he will get it done again.”
Viator, who was the Cowboys’ head coach from 2006 to 15, spent 10 years as the team’s head coach. He won a record 78 games, which ties him for the most in McNeese history with Bobby Keasler. His teams won four Southland Conference championships and made the FCS playoffs five times.
He is now being asked to finish a rebuilding process that hasn’t seen the Cowboys post a winning record since 2019. They’re coming off a 6-6 campaign that wasn’t good enough for Goff to keep his job.
“This is a big win for McNeese,” said Lance Guidry, who replaced Viator as the Cowboy head coach and is now the defensive coordinator at Miami. Guidry led McNeese through three winning seasons before being let go. He also coached under Viator. “I think this is a great hire,” Guidry added. “This is what the program needs.”
Viator’s coaching tree has many branches at all levels of football. He has also meant a lot to those he coached, who have stayed loyal to him and the program.
“Coach V touched a lot of players in a lot of ways,” said Guidry. “He has been such a big part of McNeese’s success over the years.
“The program really needs some stability, and he will have a great plan and be very organized. Coach V will dot all the i’s and cross all the t’s, that is for sure. Nobody works harder than him.”
For those who played and coached for Viator, it wasn’t just football they remembered.
“There is such a loyal, strong bond because of Coach Viator,” said Slade Nagle, now on Brian Kelly’s staff at LSU. “I learned a lot about playing and coaching football from him, but I learned a lot more just watching him.
“He cares about his staff and players, works so hard, and makes sure you are prepared to do your job. There is nothing he wants more than to see you succeed. There is not a better person out there than Matt Viator.”
Nagle was also rumored to be in the mix for the job during the recent hectic week. He is all in on Viator now.
“This is great for McNeese’s program and for its future,” Nagle said. “He has helped us all and will continue to do that, and I have no doubt he will turn McNeese back to what it was.
“It is a great move by McNeese.”
When he started the coaching search, McNeese Athletic Director Heath Schroyer said he wanted to find a perfect guy who understood the McNeese culture and community. He reached out to several former Cowboy players and coaches, including fan favorite Joseph, to find what he believed was the perfect fit.
“I was contacted about the job and if I had any interest in it,” said Joseph. “It just wasn’t the right time for me now.
“But I am very happy for Coach V. He is perfectly suited for the job. I can’t think of a better person to bring back the McNeese tradition and winning ways.”
The return of the Cowboy Way is all those with ties to the program were hoping for.
“I think they are trying to do it the right way,” said Guidry.
Well, they’re at least doing it the McNeese way.
