McNeese State loses Viator to ULM

Louisiana-at-Monroe has hired FCS McNeese State head coach Matt Viator to the same position, according to ESPN College Football Insider Joe Schad.

McNeese will make an announcement Wednesday regarding the school’s head coaching vacancy, Athletic Director Bruce Hemphill announced on Facebook Monday afternoon. “That fact is a compliment to both coach Viator and the success of our football program”.

Viator was 77-33 in ten seasons at McNeese and never had a losing season. The Warhawks were 2-11 overall and 1-7 in the Sun Belt this season, firing coach Todd Berry on November 14.

Viator, 52, has spent his entire coaching career in the state of Louisiana, and should have an immediate impact with the recruiting trail.

He was named Southland Conference coach of the year for the third time after leading McNeese State to a 2015 regular-season record of 10-0. Berry led the Warhawks to some nice power conference wins (Arkansas, and Wake Forest twice), but he made only one bowl game in six seasons and finished. 500 or better only twice.