LAKE CHARLES – McNeese football head coach Matt Viator has announced he will retain wide receivers coach Michael Smith, running backs coach Thomas Reese and cornerbacks coach Jordan Lee to his coaching staff as well as defense analyst Chris St. John.
 
The news comes a couple days after Viator announced the retainment of co-defensive coordinators Tony Pecoraro and Josh Brown as well as Chief of Staff Aaron Ingram.
 
Reese coached a running back group that led the Southland Conference and ranked 22^nd in the FCS with 191.7 yards per game rushing and led by All-SLC running back Joshon Barbie (831 yards and 8 TDs) and Bryce Strong (388 yards and 5 TDs), both ranking in the top 10 in the league. McNeese led the league and was ninth in the nation with 26 rushing TDs while its 4.8 yards per carry average topped the Southland and ranked 26^th in the country.
 
Smith's wide receiving group was one of most talented in the league this season, averaging 12.81 yards per reception as the 32^nd best in the nation. Sophomore Jer'Michael Carter ranked eighth in the conference 37 catches along with 537 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
 
The Cowboys' corners, under Lee, created havoc to offensive passing games all season and was pivotal in helping McNeese lead the conference in pass defense (176.3) and ranking 17^th in the nation. McNeese allowed just 15 passing TDs on the year, the 9^th-fewest allowed in the FCS. Yusef Leak and Levi Wyatt combined to bat away 19 passes this season, 11 by Yusef which led the league and ranked ninth in the country.
 
Updated McNeese Football Coaching Staff (2024 duties listed):
Matt Viator, Head Coach
Tony Pecoraro, Co-Defensive Coordinator
Josh Brown, Co-Defensive Coordinator
Jordan Lee, Defensive Backs
Michael Smith, Wide Receivers
Thomas Reese, Running Backs/Special Teams
Chris St. John, Defensive Analyst