Louisiana-Monroe head coach Bobby Keasler announced Wednesday that he was stepping down, effective immediately, as the Indians head football coach.

Keasler made the announcement at the regular Wednesday Athletic Scholarship Foundation luncheon in the Scogin Room of Malone Stadium and told members of the media immediately afterward at his weekly press conference.

"This is not a spur of the moment decision on my part and it was a decision that my wife (Linda) and I made, there was no pressure from anyone at the University," Keasler said. "This decision has affected me and my family for quite awhile, all the way back to last year. I have discussed it with Linda, my kids, and they are all in agreement that this is what I need to do and those are the people that are most important to me. For 30 years we have been very fortunate to have a lot of success in our lives in athletics. The last three years have not been very successful. I'm disappointed about that and I wish I could change that but I can't. Maybe me stepping down will bring new life to the football program, I hope so."

Director of Athletics Bruce Hanks said that he accepted and supported Keasler's decision.

"Bobby came to me and said that he felt it was time to make a move, that a change might energize the program for the rest of the season," Hanks said. "I know that no one wanted to succeed more, or worked any harder in pursuit of success for this football program than Bobby Keasler. Bobby has had a tremendous amount of success throughout the years in his chosen profession as a football coach. He has made an impact on the lives of countless young student-athletes as well as adults. I support Bobby in his decision."

Hanks said that assistant head coach/defensive coordinator Mike Collins would serve in an interim capacity as head coach through the remainder of the season. Keasler will remain with the athletic department, in an administrative role, through December.

Keasler will leave behind a good deal of young talent as the Indians routinely start only three seniors. This year, the junior-laden team returned 18 starters, but got off to an 0-3 start, though two of the losses were to SEC member Ole Miss and Big XII power Kansas State.

Keasler thanked the ULM Administration for allowing him to make the decision to leave the program on his own.

"I am very pleased with the Administration and their support of my decision," Keasler said. "There was never any pressure for me to do this, it's my decision, and I respect that and I appreciate that from our Administration. But there is a time when it is over and today it is over."

A ULM graduate, Keasler served as an assistant coach at his alma mater for nine years, helping lead the Indians to the 1987 I-AA national championship.

He left ULM to become the head coach at McNeese State in 1990 and took the Cowboys to seven I-AA playoff appearances and six nine-win seasons during his tenure there. Keasler earned Southland Conference Coach of the Year honors four times and was the Louisiana Coach of the Year on three occasions.

When Ed Zaunbrechers contract was not renewed following the 1998 season, Keasler was the choice to replace him, being introduced as ULMs new head coach in December, 1998. His first season was a successful one by most accounts, as an extremely young ULM team went 5-6 and closed the 1999 season with a road win over WAC opponent Tulsa and with three wins in the final four games.

However, the Indians did not enjoy that same success in 2000-2001, finishing 1-10 and 2-9 in back-to-back seasons. A 2-4 record in the first year of the Sun Belt Conference and a record-setting season ticket campaign had brought optimism to the ULM program for the 2002 season.

"Bobby Keasler made this decision like he did every other decision he has made since he came here as a student-athlete, an assistant coach and, most recently as our head coach. He has put the institution and his team ahead of himself," Hanks said. "Bobby truly loves this school and cares what happens to it now and in the future. He has worked hard for our school and I thank him and his wife, Linda, for everything they have done."

THE KEASLER RECORD

All Games Conference Only

Year W L T Pct. W L T Pct.

1990 5 6 0 .454 4 2 0 .667
1991 6 4 2 .583 4 1 2 .714
1992 9 4 0 .692 6 1 0 .857
1993 10 3 0 .769 7 0 0 1.000
1994 10 3 0 .769 5 1 0 .833
1995 13 1 0 .928 5 0 0 1.000
1996 3 8 0 .272 1 5 0 .167
1997 13 2 0 .867 6 1 0 .857
1998 9 3 0 .750 5 2 0 .714
1999 5 6 0 .455 NA
2000 1 10 0 .091 NA
2001 2 9 0 .222 2 4 0 .333
2002 0 3 0 .000 0 0 0 ---

Totals 86 62 2 .580 45 17 2 .719

Southland Football League Titles: 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997