Gary Goff will be given a chance to fix the Cowboys.

After meeting with McNeese State Athletic Director Heath Schroyer Monday morning, Goff learned he would be back next season as head football coach.

That ends any rumors or speculation that Goff would be fired after the Cowboys suffered through the worst season in program history, finishing without a victory on the field in their first 10-loss season.

McNeese’s lone win came by way of a forfeit as they ended 1-10 in Goff’s second year at the helm. The Cowboys’ season closed Saturday with a 52-27 loss at the hands of rival Lamar in Beaumont, Texas.

It was the most points the Cardinals ever scored against McNeese.

Goff, who has three years remaining on his original five-year contract — valued at more than $1 million, the richest contract in school history — has posted a 5-17 record since coming over from Division II Valdosta (Ga.) State after the 2021 season.

Buying out Goff’s contract would have cost McNeese somewhere in the neighborhood of more than $600,000, Schroyer said.

“I am extremely disappointed with the lack of success this program had on the field this season,” Schroyer said. “These results are simply unacceptable for Cowboy football, period.

“Coach and I sat down earlier (Monday) and he clearly understands my expectations moving forward. I believe in coach Goff and I am confident that he will make the necessary staff and other changes within the program to get Cowboy football back to the level we all expect it to be.”

It was the fourth consecutive losing season (12-28 from 2020-2023) for McNeese, tying a school record (17-23 from 1967-1970), all since Hurricane Laura struck in August 2020.

Playing with what the school said is the third youngest roster on the Football Championship Subdivision level, the Cowboys struggled on offense and especially defense where they finished last in the Southland Conference in points allowed (38.1, 118 of 122 nationally), yards per game (444.4, 111th nationally), rushing yards (249.2, 121 nationally), third in passing yards (195.2, 38th nationally) and second to last in sacks (9 for 56 yards) and interceptions (5).

Goff’s Air Raid offense was fair to middling, ranking sixth in scoring (19.1, 96th nationally), total offense (321.9, 90th nationally), rushing (131, 77th nationally) and fifth in passing (190.9, 73rd nationally).

McNeese had four seniors and saw several younger players forced into action perhaps before they were ready, Goff said.

The Cowboys also had a handful of players leave the program.

Despite the toughest of seasons, Goff said he is excited about the future.

“Still have a job to do,” he said. “We had a good meeting today and definitely there are going to have to be some changes made.

“I will evaluate everything from top to bottom and make an educated decision and not one out of emotions while the season is still fresh. I will 100 percent make the best decision for the program.”

Goff has built a program before, doing it at his first stop at Tiffin, where he was 38-50 from 2011-18, not producing a winning season until his final two seasons there.

“I am confident we can do it here,” Goff said. “I’m really looking forward to working with these kids.”

McNeese does have some pieces depending on who decides to come back, starting with linebacker Micah Davey (6-2, 239).

The redshirt sophomore made a career-high 21 tackles against Lamar on Saturday, following his 20-tackle performance the week before. Davey earned SLC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his effort.

Davey finished the year with 153 tackles, sixth most in program history despite missing one game.

True freshman quarterback Kam Sixkiller and redshirt freshman running back Joshon Barbie came on strong at the end of the season when getting their chances on the field.

Fixing the defensive line seems to be the most concerning issue and Goff said he will be looking in the NCAA transfer portal and junior college level to find help.

“We are going to go out and work hard to fill the holes while getting bigger and stronger ourselves,” he said. “It is going to be a hard offseason; we are going to work them for the next six months.

“We have to get back to work as a group to turn this around. I know we can do it.”