Gary Goff doesn’t believe he is coaching for his job Saturday night.

Others may not be so sure.

Either way, for the McNeese State head football coach it’s been that way all season.

After last year’s 1-10 debacle, Goff’s seat could not have been much hotter. Every play questioned, every game reviewed and every move debated.

Fair or not, that’s where we are.

Now, at 6-5 and a chance to have the first winning season since 2019, the moment in question is upon us. Has Goff and his staff done enough to earn a fourth year or is it time to move on?

Heath Schroyer, the athletic director who brought Goff to town just three years ago, will make that decision.

“That hasn’t entered my mind,” Goff said when asked if Saturday’s game against rival Lamar could be his last on the Cowboy sideline.

“I think we have done a good job. I’m pretty proud of this team and this staff. I think we have made a lot of progress and are on the right path.”

The Cowboys could finish third in the Southland Conference with a win against the Cardinals just a season after having their only victory come by way of a forfeit. So there has been progress, but there are also enough questions to go the other way.

The main thing is with all the talk of a possible change which players and coaches are willing to stay for another year of such gossip. It is also important that the decision be made quickly for it is a key time for recruiting.

Keeping true to his word, Schroyer has refused to talk about Goff’s future only stating that all coaches and programs are reviewed after each season. The two are expected to meet before Thanksgiving.

Goff has one year remaining on his contract and is set to make roughly $265,000 next season. That’s a healthy buyout for a program like McNeese. There is a fifth-season option out there, but that option is not likely to be picked up at this time.

According to sources Goff was given a specific number of wins his Cowboys needed to reach this season to be retained. Whether that number is six or seven has always been the question.

With the drama surrounding this program over the past decade, it seems only fitting we sit right at that number with one game to go. It is very McNeese-like at this point.

To his credit, Goff has said all season he wants himself, his coaches and his players not to worry about any of this noise and focus on the games and getting better.

“I don’t want that to take away from the fun of coaching and playing,” said Goff. “That would not be fair to anybody.”

He has also maintained he wants to stay as the head coach of the Cowboys and isn’t planning on leaving.

“We absolutely love Lake Charles,” Goff said. “I hope to coach here for a long time. I know I will coach for a long time someplace.”

Whether or not that place will be here or elsewhere may come down to Saturday night or it may not depending on just who you listen to.

Either way, there are several areas that still need to be cleaned up if the Cowboys are to take another big leap next year and become true contenders.

And several fences will need mending.

Jim Gazzolo is a freelance sports writer who covers McNeese State athletics for the American Press. He can be reached at jimgazzolo@yahoo.com