UL Monroe will name Matt Viator as its next head coach. Viator has been the head coach at McNeese State since 2006, compiling a 78-33 record in 10 seasons. Viator led the Cowboys to four conference titles during his tenure, but failed to accumulate any real success in the FCS playoffs. This year the Cowboys bowed out of the playoffs in the second round after a 29-34 loss to Sam Houston State. 

Viator began his coaching career in in 1986 as an assistant at Sam Houston High School in Lake Charles, Louisiana. In 1989 Viator took his first head coaching job at Vinton High School. He would go on to coach two more high schools in Louisiana before joining the McNeese State staff as an assistant in 1995.

This past season the McNeese State defense was one of the best in FCS. The Cowboys ranked 12th in FCS in yards per game allowed giving up 300 yards per game. McNeese State ranked 3rd in scoring defense allowing just 13 points per game. The Cowboys offense averaged 398 yards of offense per game, which was good for 47th in the FCS. The Cowboys were 35th in scoring offense with 30 points per game.

Viator replaces Todd Berry who was 28-43 in his 6 years at the helm. Coming off a 2-11 season, UL Monroe ranked 92nd or worse in almost every major statistic this past season. The Warhawks offense averaged 310 yards per game which was better than just four FBS programs. They also allowed 422 yards of offense per game. Viator will need to change the culture in Monroe if he wishes to have any sort of success. 

UL Monroe has only had three winning seasons since 1992, so Viator will have his work cut out for him. Monroe is a tough place to recruit to. The university's athletic facilities are sub-par, the city itself is just plain boring, and the program hasn't been successful in the time any recruit has been alive. If Viator wants to be successful he will need to get the boosters to buy in. An influx of money could bring in better facilities that could help Viator's recruiting efforts. If Viator can win over the boosters he stands a chance. If not, he's just another name on the list of coaches to roll through Monroe.