Louisiana Tech: a football coaching history
See Louisiana Tech’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →← all coaches
Stature and coaches, 1975–2026
The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.
DynastyBlue BloodPower ProgramNational ProgramRegional Program
Run↔pass identity, by season
Every coach
Big movers show how many stature points they built or lost against what they inherited; steadier tenures show the tier they reached instead. A small blue arrow marks a real System Shift at that changeover — how hard the offense’s run/pass identity flipped.
2022–now
Sonny Cumbie Steady
Sonny Cumbie slid Louisiana Tech from Regional Program II to Regional Program III in 5 seasons.
2024 offense ranked in the 3th percentile nationally — historically bad
−8.2 pts over 5 seasons · bottom 20% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Danny Ford’s Arkansas run (1993–1997)
7th-best Louisiana Tech tenure of 8 by the numbers.
Followed Skip Holtz (2013–2021).
System Shift, on arrival
| Season | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||||
| Record | 3-9 | 3-9 | 5-8 | 8-5 | 6-2 | |
| Postseason | — | — | L bowl | W bowl | — | |
| Recruiting rank | #88 | #77 | #113 | #111 | #99 | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||||
| Pass rate | 52.0 | 52.6 | 46.4 | 37.0 | 43.9 | |
| Coordinators | ||||||
| OC | Scott Parr / Jake Brown | Scott Parr / Jake Brown | Scott Parr / Nathan Young | Tony Franklin | Nathan Young | |
| DC | Scott Power | Scott Power | Jeremiah Johnson / Jeff Burris | Luke Olson | Luke Olson | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||||
| Offense | 25 | 20 | 3 | 45 | 62 | |
| Defense | 9 | 24 | 75 | 69 | 96 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||||
| 1st-down pass% | 51.4 | 51.0 | 41.8 | 37.0 | 40.1 | |
| Red-zone pass% | 52.0 | 46.8 | 36.4 | 30.9 | 33.3 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | 38.6 | 47.1 | 28.1 | 35.3 | 50.0 | |
Recruiter or developer?
Underperforms his recruiting talent on offense and performs about as expected for his recruiting talent on defense.
Offense vs. talent
-18.3 pts
#173 of 208 · bottom quarter
Defense vs. talent
+1.5 pts
#94 of 208 · middle half
Recruiting talent is team-wide (no offense/defense split exists in the source data) -- both sides are scored against the same talent input, only the outcome is side-specific.
Roster construction · portal era
A typical amount of portal roster-building.
Portal arrivals
60
2.9★ avg rating
Portal departures
113
left via the portal
Net portal flow
-53
#102 of 187 FBS stints
Who they bring in
Typical size for position, once adjusted for position mix.
Recruits older, more experienced transfers than most.
Avg. size (raw)
6′2″, 228 lbs
across 41 of 60 arrivals — unadjusted for position mix
Size vs. position-typical
+5.5 lbs
#88 of 255 · middle half
Avg. class year
Jr
#20 of 255 · top quarter
Top states: TX (10), LA (8), FL (6), CA (5), MS (4)
Who won the portal our read
Talent added
53.7
position-weighted
Talent lost
55.4
position-weighted
Net
-1.7
arrivals minus departures
Best addition: Hank Bachmeier (QB) from Boise State
Biggest loss: Hank Bachmeier (QB) to Wake Forest
Position-value-weighted (QB/CB weighted highest, depth-decayed within each position) — the same scoring engine as the Portal Heat feed, not a separate grade.
Does the system survive a coordinator change?
OC: Scott Parr (co) / Jake Brown (co) → Scott Parr (co) / Nathan Young (co) · 2024
1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.
1st-down pass rate: 51.0% → 41.8% (-9.1 pts)
Confound, shown not hidden: only 26% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.
OC: Scott Parr (co) / Nathan Young (co) → Tony Franklin · 2025
1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.
1st-down pass rate: 41.8% → 37.0% (-4.8 pts)
Confound, shown not hidden: only 54% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.
OC: Tony Franklin → Nathan Young · 2026
1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.
1st-down pass rate: 37.0% → 40.1% (+3.1 pts)
Confound, shown not hidden: only 64% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.
DC: Scott Power → Jeremiah Johnson / Jeff Burris (co) · 2024
1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.
DC: Jeremiah Johnson / Jeff Burris (co) → Luke Olson · 2025
1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.
Roster size, by position
Skill positions · usage-weighted (real participation)
Quarterback
221 lbs
6′4″ avg · #153 of 767 · top quarter
Running back
203 lbs
5′10″ avg · #568 of 791 · middle half
Wide receiver
191 lbs
6′0″ avg · #493 of 791 · middle half
Tight end
243 lbs
6′5″ avg · #470 of 731 · middle half
Trench & secondary · recruited roster, not confirmed starters
Interior line
310 lbs
6′4″ avg · #361 of 779 · middle half
D-line
274 lbs
6′3″ avg · #594 of 753 · bottom quarter
Linebacker
220 lbs
6′1″ avg · #707 of 772 · bottom quarter
Cornerback
191 lbs
6′1″ avg · #349 of 771 · middle half
Offensive-line size is one undifferentiated bucket — the source data almost never distinguishes tackle from guard from center, so we can't split them out.
Where the roster comes from, by position
Buys Safety via the portal
67%
#27 of 218 stints
Grows Tight end from high school
80%
#146 of 188 stints
Grows Quarterback from high school
71%
#162 of 206 stints
Postseason detail2024: Lost to Army 6-27 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl2025: Beat Coastal Carolina 23-14 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl
1 player-season honored (All-America / national award): Jakari Foster (2025)
−8.2
25-33
2013–2021
Skip Holtz Steady
Skip Holtz moved the Bulldogs from Regional Program II to National Program III in 9 seasons.
2016 offense ranked in the 97th percentile nationally — elite
+5.9 pts over 9 seasons · top 31% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Gene Stallings’s Alabama run (1990–1996)
2nd-best Louisiana Tech tenure of 8 by the numbers.
Followed Sonny Dykes (2010–2012) · succeeded by Sonny Cumbie (2022–now).
System Shift, on arrival
System Shift, on departure
| Season | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||||||||
| Record | 4-8 | 9-5 | 9-4 | 9-5 | 7-6 | 8-5 | 10-3 | 5-5 | 3-9 | |
| Postseason | — | W bowl | W bowl | W bowl | W bowl | W bowl | W bowl | L bowl | — | |
| Recruiting rank | #89 | #89 | #82 | #94 | #100 | #77 | #83 | #75 | #120 | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||||||||
| Pass rate | 52.2 | 48.8 | 52.6 | 56.6 | 45.9 | 52.0 | 49.1 | 51.2 | 49.7 | |
| Coordinators | ||||||||||
| OC | — | Tony Petersen | Tony Petersen | Todd Fitch | Todd Fitch | Todd Fitch | Todd Fitch | Joe Sloan | Joe Sloan | |
| DC | — | Manny Diaz | Blake Baker | Blake Baker | Blake Baker | Blake Baker | Bob Diaco | David Blackwell | David Blackwell | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||||||||
| Offense | 21 | 79 | 85 | 97 | 72 | 27 | 55 | 7 | 30 | |
| Defense | 72 | 93 | 71 | 11 | 73 | 70 | 87 | 14 | 19 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||||||||
| 1st-down pass% | 44.5 | 42.4 | 54.6 | 61.0 | 42.1 | 49.2 | 46.3 | 52.2 | 46.7 | |
| Red-zone pass% | 49.4 | 33.3 | 43.4 | 44.2 | 31.9 | 42.4 | 35.5 | 44.9 | 43.3 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | 26.1 | 17.1 | 17.4 | 15.6 | 17.8 | 24.1 | 27.5 | 32.3 | 35.4 | |
Recruiter or developer?
Performs about as expected for his recruiting talent, on both sides of the ball.
Offense vs. talent
+6.5 pts
#76 of 208 · middle half
Defense vs. talent
+1.8 pts
#91 of 208 · middle half
Recruiting talent is team-wide (no offense/defense split exists in the source data) -- both sides are scored against the same talent input, only the outcome is side-specific.
Roster construction · portal era
A typical amount of portal roster-building.
Portal arrivals
9
3.0★ avg rating
Portal departures
11
left via the portal
Net portal flow
-2
#135 of 187 FBS stints
Who they bring in
Typical size for position, once adjusted for position mix.
Recruits older, more experienced transfers than most.
Avg. size (raw)
6′1″, 201 lbs
across 4 of 9 arrivals — unadjusted for position mix
Size vs. position-typical
+4.9 lbs
#102 of 255 · middle half
Avg. class year
Sr
#1 of 255 · top quarter
Top states: AL (1), PQ (1), NC (1), GA (1)
Who won the portal our read
Talent added
32.1
position-weighted
Talent lost
33.5
position-weighted
Net
-1.5
arrivals minus departures
Best addition: Austin Kendall (QB) from West Virginia
Biggest loss: Jakson Thomson (QB) to the portal
Position-value-weighted (QB/CB weighted highest, depth-decayed within each position) — the same scoring engine as the Portal Heat feed, not a separate grade.
Does the system survive a coordinator change?
OC: Tony Petersen → Todd Fitch · 2016The system held
2-season window either side.
1st-down pass rate: 48.5% → 51.6% (+3.1 pts)
Confound, shown not hidden: only 36% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.
OC: Todd Fitch → Joe Sloan · 2020The offense slipped
2-season window either side.
1st-down pass rate: 47.7% → 49.5% (+1.7 pts)
Confound, shown not hidden: only 46% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.
DC: Manny Diaz → Blake Baker · 2015
1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.
DC: Blake Baker → Bob Diaco · 2019
1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.
DC: Bob Diaco → David Blackwell · 2020
1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.
Roster size, by position
Skill positions · usage-weighted (real participation)
Quarterback
207 lbs
6′1″ avg · #537 of 767 · middle half
Running back
210 lbs
5′10″ avg · #270 of 791 · middle half
Wide receiver
189 lbs
5′11″ avg · #570 of 791 · middle half
Trench & secondary · recruited roster, not confirmed starters
Interior line
312 lbs
6′4″ avg · #265 of 779 · middle half
D-line
276 lbs
6′3″ avg · #549 of 753 · middle half
Linebacker
220 lbs
6′2″ avg · #704 of 772 · bottom quarter
Cornerback
190 lbs
6′0″ avg · #395 of 771 · middle half
Offensive-line size is one undifferentiated bucket — the source data almost never distinguishes tackle from guard from center, so we can't split them out.
Where the roster comes from, by position
Grows Kicker from high school
100%
#52 of 56 stints
Grows Running back from high school
78%
#177 of 208 stints
Postseason detail2014: Beat Illinois 35-18 Zaxby's Heart Of Dallas Bowl2015: Beat Arkansas State 47-28 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl2016: Beat Navy 48-45 Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl2017: Beat SMU 51-10 Dxl Frisco Bowl2018: Beat Hawai'i 31-14 Sofi Hawai'i Bowl2019: Beat Miami 14-0 Walk-On's Independence Bowl2020: Lost to Georgia Southern 3-38 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
13 NFL Draft picks: Justin Ellis (2014), IK Enemkpali (2014), Vernon Butler (2016), Kenneth Dixon (2016), Jeff Driskel (2016), Carlos Henderson (2017), Trent Taylor (2017), Xavier Woods (2017) + 5 more
+5.9
64-50
2010–2012
Sonny Dykes Steady
Sonny Dykes moved Louisiana Tech from Regional Program IV to Regional Program II in 3 seasons.
2012 defense ranked in the 5th percentile nationally — historically bad
+7.0 pts over 3 seasons · top 10% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Jim McElwain’s Colorado State run (2012–2014)
5th-best Louisiana Tech tenure of 8 by the numbers.
Followed Derek Dooley (2007–2009) · succeeded by Skip Holtz (2013–2021).
System Shift, on arrival
System Shift, on departure
| Season | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||
| Record | 5-7 | 8-5 | 9-3 | |
| Postseason | — | L bowl | — | |
| Recruiting rank | #81 | #113 | #98 | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||
| Pass rate | 47.7 | 48.4 | 50.6 | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||
| Offense | 24 | 33 | 83 | |
| Defense | 22 | 57 | 5 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||
| 1st-down pass% | 40.4 | 42.4 | 48.3 | |
| Red-zone pass% | 34.7 | 37.1 | 39.9 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | 39.1 | 26.2 | 48.7 | |
Where the roster comes from, by position
Grows Running back from high school
100%
#196 of 208 stints
Grows Tackle from high school
100%
#198 of 223 stints
Postseason detail2011: Lost to TCU 24-31 San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl
2 NFL Draft picks: Quinton Patton (2013), Jordan Mills (2013)
+7.0
22-15
2007–2009
Derek Dooley Steady
Derek Dooley held the Bulldogs at Regional Program IV for 3 seasons.
2007 offense ranked in the 0th percentile nationally — historically bad
+0.9 pts over 3 seasons · top 30% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Charlie Weatherbie’s Utah State run (1992–1994)
8th-best Louisiana Tech tenure of 8 by the numbers.
Followed Jack Bicknell (1999–2006) · succeeded by Sonny Dykes (2010–2012).
System Shift, on departure
System Shift, on arrival
| Season | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||
| Record | 5-7 | 8-5 | 4-8 | |
| Postseason | — | W bowl | — | |
| Recruiting rank | #78 | #82 | #74 | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||
| Pass rate | 46.2 | 39.6 | 39.1 | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||
| Offense | 0 | 10 | 54 | |
| Defense | 84 | 67 | 78 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||
| 1st-down pass% | 44.7 | 39.6 | 33.0 | |
| Red-zone pass% | 31.0 | 25.9 | 37.2 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | 42.3 | 20.0 | 38.5 | |
Where the roster comes from, by position
Grows Edge from high school
100%
#191 of 208 stints
Grows Running back from high school
100%
#196 of 208 stints
Postseason detail2008: Beat Northern Illinois 17-10 Bowl
2 NFL Draft picks: D'Anthony Smith (2010), Dennis Morris (2010)
+0.9
17-20
1999–2006
Jack Bicknell Steady
Jack Bicknell slid the Bulldogs from Regional Program II to Regional Program IV in 8 seasons.
No outlier style signal this stint
−3.7 pts over 8 seasons · bottom 29% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Tyrone Willingham’s Stanford run (1995–2001)
4th-best Louisiana Tech tenure of 8 by the numbers.
Followed Gary Crowton (1996–1998) · succeeded by Derek Dooley (2007–2009).
System Shift, on departure
| Season | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | |||||||||
| Record | 8-3 | 3-9 | 7-5 | 4-8 | 5-7 | 6-6 | 7-4 | 3-10 | |
| Postseason | — | — | L bowl | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Recruiting rank | — | — | — | — | — | #96 | #91 | #81 | |
| Style — pass rate | |||||||||
| Pass rate | — | — | — | — | — | 38.0 | 45.4 | 49.9 | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | |||||||||
| Offense | — | — | — | — | — | 35 | 21 | 13 | |
| Defense | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | 64 | 24 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | |||||||||
| 1st-down pass% | — | — | — | — | — | 41.5 | 37.9 | 39.1 | |
| Red-zone pass% | — | — | — | — | — | 41.7 | 45.0 | 28.6 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Where the roster comes from, by position
Grows Tight end from high school
100%
#164 of 188 stints
Grows Edge from high school
100%
#191 of 208 stints
Postseason detail2001: Lost to Clemson 24-49 Bowl
7 NFL Draft picks: Joey Chustz (2000), Tim Rattay (2000), Bobby Gray (2002), Luke McCown (2004), Josh Scobee (2004), Ryan Moats (2005), Johnathan Holland (2007)
−3.7
43-52
1996–1998
Gary Crowton Steady
Gary Crowton moved Louisiana Tech from Regional Program III to Regional Program II in 3 seasons.
+5.8 pts over 3 seasons · top 12% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Butch Jones’s Central Michigan run (2007–2009)
6th-best Louisiana Tech tenure of 8 by the numbers.
Followed Joe Peace (1988–1995) · succeeded by Jack Bicknell (1999–2006).
1 NFL Draft pick: Troy Edwards (1999)
+5.8
21-13
1988–1995
Joe Peace Steady
Joe Peace held Louisiana Tech at Regional Program I for 8 seasons.
3rd-best Louisiana Tech tenure of 8 by the numbers.
Followed Billy Brewer (1980–1981) · succeeded by Gary Crowton (1996–1998).
| Season | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | |||||||||
| Record | 4-7 | 5-4-1 | 8-3-1 | 8-1-2 | 5-6 | 2-9 | 3-8 | 5-6 | |
| Postseason | — | — | L bowl | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Recruiting rank | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Style — pass rate | |||||||||
| Pass rate | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | |||||||||
| Offense | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Defense | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | |||||||||
| 1st-down pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Red-zone pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Postseason detail1990: Tied Maryland 34-34 Bowl
5 NFL Draft picks: Derrick Douglas (1990), Willie Roaf (1993), Myron Baker (1993), Artie Smith (1993), Doug Evans (1993)
Regional Program I
40-44-4
1979
Pat Patterson Short tenure
1-0
1979
Larry Beightol Short tenure
1-9
1975–1978
Maxie Lambright Steady
Maxie Lambright held the Bulldogs at National Program II for 4 seasons.
1st-best Louisiana Tech tenure of 8 by the numbers.
Succeeded by Larry Beightol (1979).
| Season | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | |||||
| Record | 8-2 | 6-5 | 9-1-2 | 6-5 | |
| Postseason | — | — | W bowl | L bowl | |
| Recruiting rank | — | — | — | — | |
| Style — pass rate | |||||
| Pass rate | — | — | — | — | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | |||||
| Offense | — | — | — | — | |
| Defense | — | — | — | — | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | |||||
| 1st-down pass% | — | — | — | — | |
| Red-zone pass% | — | — | — | — | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | — | — | — | — | |
Postseason detail1977: Beat Louisville 24-14 Bowl1978: Lost to East Carolina 13-35 Bowl
3 NFL Draft picks: Mike Barber (1976), Pat Tilley (1976), Larry Anderson (1978)
National Program II
29-13-2