Southeastern Signs Roberts Through 2018

HAMMOND, La. – Southeastern Louisiana University has signed head football coach Ron Roberts to a contract that runs through the 2018 season, SLU Director of Athletics Jay Artigues announced on Friday.

 

Roberts recently completed his fifth season at the helm of the Lion football program. The contract is pending the approval of the University of Louisiana System’s Board of Supervisors.

 

The 2016 Lions shook off a 1-3 start, winning six of their last seven games to finish 7-4 overall and 7-2 in Southland Conference play.

 

“We’re pleased to sign Coach Roberts to a new contract,” Artigues said. “Coach Roberts has brought us success on the field and we’re confident he and his staff can help us continue to compete for Southland Conference championships consistently.”

 

Roberts’ SLU teams have posted a record of 36-24 overall and 29-11 versus Southland Conference competition. The Lions won consecutive Southland championships in 2013 and 2014 under his tutelage on the way to the program’s first two NCAA FCS playoff appearances.

 

During his tenure, eight different Lions have earned All-America honors, including NFL Draft selections Robert Alford and Harlan Miller. A total of 72 players have earned All-Southland Conference honors under Roberts, including 2013 Southland Conference Player of the Year and 2014 Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Year Bryan Bennett and 2013 Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Year Cqulin Hubert.

 

Roberts’ time in Hammond has also been marked by unprecedented success versus in-state league opponents. 2016 marked the fourth time in the past five years Roberts’ Lions have swept in-state Southland rivals McNeese, Nicholls and Northwestern State. Overall, Roberts has led SLU to a 13-2 record versus in-state Southland competition.

“I’m very appreciative that our administration has the confidence in myself and our staff to continue building our program,” Roberts commented. “We’re focused on keeping the program on the right track and winning another Southland Conference championship.”

 

The Lions will open spring practice on March 7 to begin preparations for the 2017 season, which opens on Sept. 2 with a non-conference contest at Louisiana-Lafayette.