Lamar University Men's Football

A highly decorated coaching veteran, with three decades of coaching experience, Pete Rossomando was named Lamar University head coach in December 2022. Rossomando became the program’s 11th head coach since LU transitioned into a four-year program (in 1951) and just the fourth leader since returning the sport to varsity status for the 2010 season.   Among his 32 years of experience on the sideline, 13 of those have been as a head coach, and none may be more impressive than his first three seasons in the Golden Triangle. When Rossomando arrived in Beaumont prior to the start of the 2023 season, he took over a team that was coming off a one-win campaign, had won only five games in the three previous years combined and was picked at the bottom of the Southland Conference preseason polls. Rossomando proved all the prognosticators wrong as the Cardinals jumped out to their best start in conference play since 1967 and orchestrated the nation’s fourth-largest single-season turnaround (at the NCAA FCS level). Lamar recorded its first winning season since 2018 and just the third since the sport was brought back to varsity status. The Cardinals also began receiving votes in the Top 25 poll. For his efforts, Rossomando was named a finalist for the coveted Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award, which is the second time in his career his name has appeared on the ballot. For an encore, Rossomando only etched his name even more into the LU history books by improving the Cardinals win total for a second consecutive season (seven wins) which marked the first time since 1966 and 1967 seasons that Big Red has recorded back-to-back winning seasons. The 2024 campaign also marked the first time LU had recorded back-to-back winning seasons in conference play since 1971 and 1972. Lamar also defeated No. 20 Weber State early in the season - the program's first win over a nationally ranked program since 2019 - which would help land the Cardinals in the STATS FCS Top 25 poll for the first time in program history - an honor they held for four weeks.   The accomplishments in the first two years alone would be impressive enough, but the Cardinals took another step forward in 2025. Lamar picked off No. 4 South Dakota early in the season to once against be ranked among nation’s top 25, rattled off a seven-game win streak (the longest since the 1971 and 1972 season), jumped out to its best start since 1967, was one of just eight FCS schools to record two wins against nationally ranked opponents and advanced to the NCAA FCS playoffs for just the second time in program history (and the first since 2018). Big Red ended the year ranked 24th which was the first time in the NCAA Division I-AA/FCS era that Lamar has finished a year ranked. Rossomando's players have also reaped the benefit of his coaching. In his first season, Rossomando produced seven All-Southland Conference selections including one first-team honoree. Big Red’s seven selections equaled the total number of all-conference honors from the previous four seasons combined. During his first three seasons, Rossomando has produced 25 All-Southland selections - including six first-team nods, four All-Americans (three Freshman All-Americans) and 10 Academic All-Southland Conference selections. In addition to those numbers, LU has also earned 20 SLC Player of the Week honors (13 special teams, five defensive and two offensive) and two FCS National Player of the Week recipients.   Rossomando came to the Golden Triangle from Charlotte where he spent the last two seasons as offensive line coach and took on the added title of interim head coach for the final four games of 2022. Prior to Rossomando being named interim head coach, the 49ers posted a 1-7 mark, but Charlotte closed the year going 2-2 under his direction.   Prior to his arrival in Charlotte, Rossomando spent two seasons serving as offensive line coach at Rutgers (2019) and Vanderbilt (2020). Before his time in the Big 10 and Southeastern Conference, Rossomando was named head coach at Central Connecticut State. During his time with the Blue Devils, he led the program to its first NCAA FCS Playoff appearance in program history. CCSU posted an 8-4 overall record in 2017 and won the Northeast Conference title with a perfect 6-0 mark. His efforts on the sideline drew praise from national voters as he was named a finalist for the Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year award.   Rossomando made the head coaching jump to the NCAA Division I FCS level after spending six seasons at the University of New Haven where he built the program from the ground up. He spent his first season at UNH putting together a staff and recruiting players to take the field for the 2009 campaign. Over the course of the next five seasons, New Haven posted a 42-13 (.737) overall record, including a 33-8 (.805) conference mark. During his final four seasons on campus, Rossomando guided UNH to two eight-win seasons, a 10-win campaign and an 11-win season. The Chargers won two conference titles and advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs in 2011 and 2012.   In his final three seasons at New Haven (2011-13), the Chargers went 29-6 (.829) with a 20-2 (.909) record in Northeast-10 Conference games. The stretch included consecutive 8-0 conference records (2011 and 2012) as New Haven peaked at No. 3 in the NCAA Division II national rankings (2012).   Prior to taking over as the head coach at New Haven, Rossomando made coaching stops at Albany, Cortland State and Northeastern serving in varying roles from offensive line coach to offensive coordinator and associate head coach. His collegiate coaching career began in 1994 as an assistant at New Haven, where he was on staff for two NCAA playoff runs, including a 1997 NCAA Division II national championship game appearance.   A four-time conference coach of the year selection, and the 2012 Liberty Mutual National Division II Coach of the Year, Rossomando has been part of seven conference championship teams as either a head coach or an assistant, as well as serving on staff for the 2002 ECAC Bowl Championship squad and the 1997 NCAA National runner-up team during his first stint at New Haven.   A four-year letterwinner at Boston University, playing on both the offense and defensive lines (1990-93), Rossomando helped the Terriers to an undefeated regular season and the 1993 Yankee Conference Championship and the NCAA I-AA Playoffs. Rossomando graduated from BU in 1995 with his bachelor’s in Clinical Exercise Physiology.   Rossomando and his wife Jessica have three children – Reese, Gianna and Nicholas.    

Daryl Daleen joined the Cardinals’ coaching staff in February 2023. He works directly with Big Red’s inside linebackers and serves as the Cardinals’ co-special teams coordinator.   During his first season on campus, Daleen’s troops played a huge role in Lamar’s improved defense in every statistical category. Big Red ranked second or third in the league in scoring, total and pass defense, and the Cardinals rush defense surrendered 64 fewer yards per game than the year prior – all stats which helped Lamar post the nation’s fourth-largest single-season turnaround. This coming on the heels of a 2022 campaign that saw LU ranked near the bottom of the league in scoring, total, rushing and pass defense. For an encore, Daleen's position group helped Lamar become the second-toughest team in the league to score on allowing fewer than 23 points per game.   That trend continued during the 2025 season as LU recorded an improved record for a third-straight year – a year that ended with a top 25 national ranking, two wins over nationally ranked programs and the university’s second trip to the NCAA FCS Playoffs. Big Red’s defense once again held opponents to just 23 points per game and fewer than 20 points per game in conference play.   Lamar’s 2025 specialists produced three all-conference selections in 2025 – kicker Ben Woodard (first team), punt returner Kyndon Fuselier (second team) and kick returner LaDamion McDowell (second team). The Cardinals would record five conference special teams player of the week awards including Woodard and Fuselier who would go on to earn NCAA FCS National Special Teams Player of the Week honors.   Daleen began his coaching career in 2004 at Newberry College and has worked at every level of the game from high school to NCAA Division I in the past two decades, including two prior stints with Coach Rossomando at New Haven and then at Central Connecticut State.   Originally joining the UNH staff as the special teams coordinator/defensive line coach, he was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2013. During his time with the Chargers, Daleen helped build one of the top defenses at the NCAA Division II level. In 2012, Daleen produced a conference defensive player of the year, conference defensive lineman of the year and an honorable mention All-American.   Success on the defensive side of the ball has been a constant under Daleen's direction. The Chargers led the league in sacks in three consecutive seasons, and this came following a stretch where he served as coordinator at Pikeville (Ky.) College where his squad ranked among the league leaders in sacks and forced turnovers.   Daleen followed Rossomando to Central Connecticut State where he helped produce the best run in school history. The Blue Devils would go on to win a Northeast Conference title (with a perfect 6-0 record) and advance to the NCAA FCS Playoffs for the first time in program history.   Daleen is a graduate of Newberry College with a bachelor’s degree in history.    

Drew Christ was named Lamar University defensive coordinator in January 2023. Christ’s hiring is a reunion of sorts with LU head coach Pete Rossomando, as the two worked together at Central Connecticut State helping build the most successful run in school history, so it should come as no surprise that the duo has produced one of the most successful runs in LU history in a very brief time.   In his first season, Christ was given the unenviable task of rebuilding the Cardinal defense which was at or near the bottom of the Southland Conference in several categories. Under Christ’s direction, the Cardinals improved in almost every area and ended the year ranked second in the SLC in scoring and pass defense and third in the league in total defense. Lamar became the second toughest team to score on in Christ's second season with the Red and White. The 2024 campaign watched LU allow fewer than 23 points per game. It was a similar performance in in 2025 as the Cardinals jumped in the Top 25 and made a run to the NCAA FCS Playoffs for just the second time in program history. LU allowed just 23 points per game on the season despite a schedule that consisted of four nationally ranked teams, three NCAA FCS playoff teams and a North Texas squad that went 12-2, played for the American Athletic Conference title and a won the New Mexico Bowl. In conference play, the Cardinals allowed fewer than 20 points per game. In just three short seasons, Christ’s defense produced eight all-conference players, including one first-team selection and an All-American (Kristian Pugh).  Christ came to Beaumont after spending the previous two seasons at Boston College where he served as a defensive assistant coach and a special teams analyst. During his time in Chesnut Hills, he helped coach the Eagles to a berth in the 2022 Military Bowl. Prior to his time with the Eagles, Christ spent time on staff at Ohio State.   Christ joined the Buckeye’s staff after spending five seasons in New Britain, Conn., serving under Rossomando at Central Connecticut State. During that time, Christ served as defensive coordinator working directly with the Blue Devils’ defensive backs. While on staff, the Blue Devils won the Northeast Conference title and advanced to their first NCAA FCS Playoff appearance in program history.    Christ brings more than 20 years of coaching experience with him to the Golden Triangle with coaching stops at Albany, Rochester, Pennsylvania and Swarthmore College. Working primarily with defensive backs and linebackers, Christ also served as the defensive coordinator at Albany and Rochester. While on staff at Albany, Christ helped lead the Great Danes to back-to-back Northeast Conference titles (2011 and 2012), while coaching numerous players to All-NEC accolades, including Dave Casale, a two-time All-NEC selection at free safety who went on to play professionally with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. Christ's secondary also played a vital role in the Great Danes run to the 2008 NEC Championship.  Christ previously served as the defensive coordinator at the University of Rochester. He spent the prior three years as secondary coach under Al Bagnoli at Pennsylvania. The Quakers won the Ivy League championship in 2002 and 2003 during his stay with the program. A native of Bay Village, Ohio, Christ was an all-conference and honorable mention all-state scholastic defensive player. He went on to start at the University of Chicago, where he was a three-time All-University Athletic Association defensive back and kicker. He was voted special teams MVP for four consecutive years and received the overall most valuable player award as a senior. Christ played in the Professional Indoor Football League with the Madison Maddawgs. He is married to the former Sarah Zaborowski.

Andrew Sparano moved to the Golden Triangle in February 2023 and was tasked with coaching the Cardinal tight ends. In January 2026, Sparano took on the added responsibility of offensive coordinator.   In his short time with the program, Sparano has produced all-conference tight ends including 2025 first-team selection Deyvn Gibbs who ended his career with 68 receptions for nearly 700 yards and eight touchdowns.   In his first season with the Red and White, Sparano coached a young squad which consisted of five newcomers. By season’s end, the Cardinal tight ends played a key role in the team’s success leading to the nation’s fourth-largest turnaround in the country. In addition to blocking on an offensive line that had to overcome numerous injuries during the first half of the season, the tight ends also hauled in 16 passes for 192 yards and two scores. Entering the 2024 season, Sparano produced one of the top young tight ends in the league – Gibbs. During his junior season, the Mabank native finished fourth on the team with 17 catches for 163 yards (9.6 pr) with four touchdowns (second most TD receptions on the team). His numbers were good enough to earn second-team all-conference honors.    Sparano spent the 2022 campaign in Murfreesboro, N.C. as an assistant at Chowan University. He was hired to work with the team's offensive line and tight ends. During his lone season with Chowan, he produced three all-conference selections and helped coach the team to a CIAA North division title for the first time in program history.   Sparano moved to Murfreesboro from the junior college ranks where he spent the previous nine seasons at Feather River College and Chabot Junior College. Between those two stops, he served as offensive coordinator and worked directly with the offensive line, quarterbacks, running backs and returners. During his first season as coordinator, he led Feather River to its first undefeated season in program history.   Prior to his move to the JUCO level, Sparano spent the 2013 season serving as an assistant at New Haven working directly with running backs and return specialists. Sparano got his coaching start at Rensselaer Tech in Troy, N.Y.   Sparano received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Phoenix in July 2021 where he graduated Cum Laude.  

Named co-offensive coordinator in January 2026, Matt Cannata is entering his fourth season working with the Cardinals offensive line. Hired in January 2023, Cannata made his way to the Golden Triangle after a successful career that made stops at Charlotte, Mary Hardin-Baylor and Texas Lutheran.   Lamar has seen continued progress from the offensive front since Cannata’s arrival. Starting with a very young group of players in 2023, they eventually became veterans producing three all-conference honors each of the past two seasons. The six All-Southland selections were the most for any LU squad in a two-year period in program history. All told, Cannata’s charges have produced eight All-Southland Conference honors including two first-team selections to go along with one freshman All-American in his three years with the team.   Cannata may have had the toughest draw of the entire staff entering his first season with the program. After clearing preseason camp with a starting five upfront, the Cardinals proceeded to face multiple injuries on the line. The Cardinals were forced to go with six different starting lineups within the first seven games and didn’t have the same lineup for consecutive games until weeks four and five.   Cannata’s troops continued to battle through the early part of the season and LU had the same starting five for the final four games. That line produced two All-Southland Conference selections – Jevale Roberson and Elias Ripley – and they protected for the Southland’s second-leading rusher, Khalan Griffin (who also earned second-team all-conference honors). Flash forward a year, and Roberson and Ripley repeated as all-conference selections while Kortez Winslow garnered freshman All-America praise in a year that saw LU produce the league’s leading rusher.   A 2025 Dave Campbell’s Texas Football 40-Under-40 honoree, Cannata spent the 2022 season in Belton, Texas serving as the offensive line coach at Mary Hardin-Baylor. Prior to his time with the Crusaders, Cannata spent three seasons in Charlotte after spending the 2018 campaign as a graduate assistant coach at Austin Peay. Cannata got his coaching start at Texas Lutheran where he served as the Bulldogs offensive line coach, run-game coordinator and recruiting coordinator.   Cannata has achieved a high level of success in his young career working on three conference championship teams while helping guide Charlotte to a berth in the 2019 Bahamas Bowl – the first bowl game in program history. While at Charlotte, Cannata helped orchestrate the 49ers’ first win over a Power Five school when they knocked off Duke (2021).   During his lone season at UMHB, he helped lead The Cru to one of their best seasons in program history posting a 12-2 overall record, a No. 3 national ranking and a spot in the national semifinals.   Cannata’s players have also reaped the benefits of his instruction. He has coached 27 all-conference selections, seven All-Americans (including one FBS All-American) and a former conference offensive lineman of the year. He has also coached five players that have gone on to play professional football (3 – NFL and 2 – USFL), including Cam Clark who was taken in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL draft by the New York Jets.  

Wayne Cordova is in his seventh season with Lamar after making the move from Baton Rouge, La., where he spent one season on staff at Southern University. Cordova is an assistant on the defensive staff working directly with Lamar’s safeties.   During his time with the Cardinals, Cordova has made a name for himself for producing big time talent in the Cardinals secondary. In his first season in Beaumont, Cordova transformed sophomore Anthony Ruffin into one of the top young defensive backs at the FCS level. An all-conference selection in just his second season with the team, Ruffin led the Cardinals with 43 stops, including 28 solo tackles, and a team-high three interceptions in the COVID-shortened 2020 season. The following year, three of the Cardinals’ top four tacklers were safeties – a group which combined for four interceptions.   The most notable name among Cordova’s standouts is Beaumont Kristian Pugh. A product of West Brook High School, Pugh closed his career by leading the team in tackles (89), leading the league in interceptions (four) and earning first-team All-Southland Conference honors and third-team All-America honors in the midst of a run to the NCAA FCS Playoffs.   During his time in Beaumont, Cordova’s position group has recorded four All-Southland Conference selections, including a first-team honor and one All-American.   During his time in Baton Rouge, Cordova coached the Jaguars' safeties and served as the special teams coordinator. While at Southern, Cordova turned sophomore Tamaurice Smith into one of the league's top defensive backs. Smith garnered All-SWAC honors following a season that saw him record 27 tackles and a team-high five interceptions, including eight pass break ups. Cordova made the move to Southern following two seasons in Lake Charles, La., serving as the safeties coach for his alma mater, McNeese. During his time with the Cowboys, Cordova produced an All-Southland selection in Dominique Hill. He also handled the role of Cowboys' director of football operations. Cordova joined the collegiate ranks after earning his stripes at the high school level. He spent the 2016 season at Newman High School (La.) where he was the defensive coordinator, and prior to that, was on the Tulane Green Wave staff for two years as the director of player personnel-external relations. Cordova previously served as the head coach at St. Augustine (2006-08) and served as an assistant coach at Destrehan (2012-13) and Brother Martin (2009-11). Cordova got his start at the collegiate level at Grambling in 2013 where he was the director of player personnel.    As a player, Cordova was named a member of the 75th Anniversary Football Team as well as playing for the Cowboys' Southland Championship and 1997 National Championship Runner-Up squad. He helped guide McNeese to two playoff appearances during that time. A 1999 first-team All-Southland Football League selection, Cordova was named the Johnnie Caldarera Defensive Player of the Year after recording 113 tackles. He ended his career with 305 total tackles, ranking 11th on the school career record list. He received his bachelor's degree from McNeese in 2005. Cordova has three children.  

Todd Macon joined the Cardinals coaching staff in February 2023 and was given the task of working directly with the LU running backs.   In his short time with Lamar, Macon has produced the school’s fourth all-time leading rusher, had a back set the third-best single-season rushing mark in program history (Khalan Griffin – 1,158 yards) and had two All-Southland Conference selections.   Under Macon's guidance, Griffin became just the fourth 1,000-yard rusher in program history. He ended the year with 218 carries for 1,158 yards (5.3 pc) and seven touchdowns. Those stats are even more impressive considering Griffin missed the last game of the season due to an injury. Griffin's numbers also ranked among the nation's top 10 as he would go onto receive an invite for the Las Vegas Raiders the following offseason.   Macon made the move to the Golden Triangle after a successful year at Mary Hardin-Baylor. He jumped into his coaching career following a successful playing career that led him to the Arena Football League. A former standout at Liberty University, Macon has spent his entire coaching career focused on the backfield.   Getting his start at Briar Cliff University, he coached both backs and return specialists. Macon was at BCU for one season before taking a similar role at Colorado Mesa University where he would spend the next two seasons.   Macon made the move to Mary Hardin-Baylor prior to 2022 where he continued to coach running backs along with return specialists. In addition to working with the Crusaders, Macon also was given the responsibility of recruiting West Texas.   Success has followed Macon during his coaching career. In addition to being a part of a staff that has coached a squad to the NCAA Division III semifinals, Macon also produced the top rushing offense in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (2021).   Macon’s athletes have also benefitted from his guidance having produced an all-region selection, five all-conference selections, two first-team all-conference running backs, two first-team all-conference returners and multiple conference players of the week.   A standout on the gridiron during collegiate career, Macon was a multiple-time recipient of the conference player of the week award and named national player of the week on separate occasions. He graduated as the school’s fifth single-game all-purpose yardage leader. He was also named 2018 Special Teams Player of the Year with the Sioux City Bandits.   Macon graduated from Liberty University in May 2017.    

Jacob Diaz was named Lamar University receivers coach in July 2025, a promotion from his previous role as general manager and director of operations. Diaz is entering his fourth season with the program and his second coaching the Cardinal receivers.   Diaz originally came to Lamar in July 2022 as a graduate assistant coach to work with LU's receivers, special teams and assist with on-campus recruiting before accepting the position as director of operations.  During his brief time in the Golden Triangle, Diaz has been a part of the resurgence of Cardinals football where he worked with LU two-way star Kyndon Fuselier. A native a Nederland, Texas, Fuselier graduated among the school’s all-time top 10 in career receptions, receiving yards, punt returns, return yards and single-season punt return yards.   Diaz had four years of coaching experience before arriving in the Golden Triangle including stops at three other universities. A graduate of Briar Cliff University, Diaz began his coaching career at Southwest El Centro High School in El Centro, Calif. He served as the co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach during the 2019 campaign. Serving as the in-game play caller, Diaz's offense produced five players that went on to play at the next level.   Diaz was at Southwest El Centro for one season before returning to his alma mater in April 2020 to work with the Chargers' receivers and take on the role of assistant recruiting coordinator. Before the end of the season, Diaz was named interim head coach and served in that position for the team's final four games.   Diaz has also made stops at Midland University and Adams State before his time in Beaumont. During his one season at Adams State, Diaz coached the receivers while also serving as the special teams and recruiting coordinator.   A four-year letterwinner at Briar Cliff University, Diaz received his bachelor’s degree in sports management in 2020.  

Morgan Ford was named assistant coach in March 2024. He was hired to work with the Cardinals' outside linebackers.   This is Ford's second stop at Lamar. He spent the 2020 and 2021 seasons serving as a quality control coach working with Lamar's special teams.   A native of Port Arthur, Ford has gained valuable experience at numerous levels of the game in his young career ranging from NCAA Division III all the up to professional football. Ford's coaching career began at his alma mater, Mississippi Valley State, in 2018 before accepting a graduate assistant position at East Texas Baptist University working with the corner backs.   He spent one season at ETBU before making the jump to NCAA Division I football at Lamar. After a brief stint with the Red and White, Ford got the call to serve as a defensive graduate assistant coach at UL Monroe. Ford's steady climb up the ladder continued just five months later when he was hired as a defensive backs coach for the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL in September 2022. Ford's upward trajectory has included the honor of serving as the defensive coordinator for the 2019 Gridiron All-American Game.   An established recruiter in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi, Ford has helped produce some of the region's top talent who have gone on to play at the next level, including Rodney Randle (New England Patriots), P.J. Locke (Denver Broncos), Calvin Tyler (Cincinnati Bengals), Ajene Harris (XFL) and Kevon Latulas (XFL).

Reggie Marshall joined the Lamar University football coaching staff in April 2026 as defensive line coach. Marshall makes the move to the Golden Triangle from San Marcos where he spent the past two seasons at Texas State.   Marshall spent the past two seasons working with the defensive side of the ball at Texas State. During his time with the Bobcats, he helped guide the program to two winning seasons, 13 total wins and two Bowl game victories (SERVPRO First Responders and Lockheed Martin Armed Forces). The Bobcats also produced five All-Sun Belt selections on the defensive side of the ball during his time in San Marcos.   Marshall already has a familiarity with the Southland Conference after spending three seasons serving on UIW’s staff under GJ Kinne. Marshall spent two seasons as a graduate assistant before moving into a role as a quality control coach. During that time he worked with the UIW defensive line in their run to a Southland Conference title and a trip to the NCAA FCS semifinals.   Marshall got his coaching start at Madill High School in Oklahoma. During his time with MHS, he coached defensive ends. At the same time, Marshall also served as an assistant at Durant Physical Therapy and trainer/coach at C4 Sports Performance and Fitness.   Marshall was a four-year letterman at Southeastern Oklahoma State. Following a redshirt season, he went on to play in 44 games making 116 tackles, including 13.5 for losses with 6.0 sacks. He received his bachelor’s degree from Southeastern in 2017.

Cecil Banks III began serving as Lamar University’s video coordinator and director of media services prior to the start of the 2022 season. Banks currently oversees a staff of five student photographers/videographers that cover Cardinals practices and gamedays. In addition to his efforts on the field, Banks also helps create graphics and videos for the team’s social media accounts.   A former graduate assistant at Hardin-Simmons, Banks began his coaching career as a camp instructor at Howard Payne University before becoming a student assistant. Banks received his bachelor’s degree from Howard Payne in 2020. Two years later, Banks received master’s in nutrition from Lamar (July 2022). Banks is married to the former Jamie Kennedy.