Viator to replace Tate as head coach of McNeese St

[BullDoug]

Wonder if the Cow Pokes saw this coming?

Viator to replace Tate as head coach of McNeese State  

 Oct. 3, 2006

CBS SportsLine.com wire reports      

LAKE CHARLES, La. -- Tommy Tate has been removed as the head football coach at McNeese State and offensive coordinator Matt Viator will take over the program on an interim basis, the school announced Tuesday.

"I regret that this has happened during the course of a season," university president Robert Hebert said. "But I believe it is in the best interest of our program."

The Cowboys got off to a 1-3 start this season under Tate, the head coach since 2000 and a member of the coaching staff since 1979.

Tate finished with a 49-26 record at McNeese, including three straight Southland Conference championships from 2001-03. In 2002, the Cowboys made it to the Division I-AA national championship game, losing to Western Kentucky.

Hebert refrained from saying the slow start was the reason for the change.

"I guess you can just say we had different philosophies," Hebert said.

On Saturday, the Cowboys lost 20-17 to South Dakota State. Their other losses were to I-A teams programs -- 41-10 at South Florida and 41-7 at Toledo -- but McNeese was outscored 55-0 in the fourth quarters of those games.

The lone victory this season was 76-0 over West Virginia Tech.

AP NEWS

The Associated Press News Service

Copyright 2005-2006, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved  

[E.T.]

Holy ....

And he's an alum there ... outta nowhere !

[Guest R_to_the_izzo]

I don't get that. 1AA with two losses too 1A and he gets fired?

[WoolyBully]

three straight Southland Conference championships from 2001-03. In 2002, the Cowboys made it to the Division I-AA national championship game, losing to Western Kentucky.

I guess this is an acute case of "What Have You Done For Me Lately".  

[Brad]

Blame it on the McNeese fans reading this board...they probably think that sort of thing is natural after reading the stuff here.

[BULLfreak]

I cant wait to hear what Doc thinks about this

[___ Eats It]

Rumor on the McNeese board is that a player broke curfew while putting it to a female trainer... but the TRAINER was punished and the player was not.

[Mission9]

Blame it on the McNeese fans reading this board...they probably think that sort of thing is natural after reading the stuff here.

[smazza]

Blame it on the McNeese fans reading this board...they probably think that sort of thing is natural after reading the stuff here.

why not fire him?

he underachieved

not every program waits years   before letting go of a coach

when is the right time to fire a coach?

it depends  on the particular case

[E.T.]

...

he underachieved

...

Please explain with details.