Brad Laird

Last updated

Brad Laird
Current position
Title Head coach
Team Natchitoches Central HS (LA)
Record0–0
Biographical details
Born (1973-06-20) June 20, 1973 (age 51) [1]
Playing career
1991–1995 Northwestern State
Position(s) Quarterback
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1996 Northwestern State (GA)
1997 West Monroe HS (LA) (assistant)
1998 Ouachita HS (AR) (assistant)
1999–2000 Longview HS (TX) (QB)
2001–2002 Nashville HS (AR) (assistant)
2003–2004Northwestern State (DC/LB)
2005Northwestern State (DC/DB)
2007 Stephen F. Austin (LB)
2008Northwestern State (DC)
2009Northwestern State (AHC/co-DC)
2010–2011Northwestern State (AHC/DC)
2013–2016 Ruston HS (LA)
2017Northwestern State (AHC/DC)
2018–2023Northwestern State
2024–present Natchitoches Central HS (LA)
Head coaching record
Overall16–41 (college)
28–18 (high school)

Brad Laird (born June 20, 1973) is an American college football coach. He is the head coach at Natchitoches Central High School in Natchitoches, Louisiana, a position he has held since 2024. [2] He was the head football coach at Northwestern State University from 2018 to 2023. He previously served as an assistant football coach at Northwestern State, Stephen F. Austin State University, and various coaching positions at several high schools. Laird played college football at Northwestern State University, where he played quarterback.

Contents

Head coaching career

Northwestern State

Laird was named head football coach at Northwestern State University on November 20, 2017. [3] [4] [5] Laird resigned as the Demons' head coach on October 26, 2023; that same day, the university announced that the remainder of the football season would be cancelled to allow players and coaches time to grieve over the death of junior safety Ronnie Caldwell. [6]

On November 5, 2023, Caldwell's parents filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Quad Apartment Complex, where Caldwell lived and where the shooting occurred, and Laird. [7] According to the lawsuit, Caldwell was placed in an apartment with McIntosh, who was not attending college and had a history of legal trouble, after mold was found in Caldwell's original apartment. [8] The lawsuit also alleges that McIntosh pulled a gun on Caldwell three days before the shooting occurred. Caldwell then notified his father, Ronald, of the incident who then alerted Laird. Laird called Ronald, assuring him that he would immediately place Ronnie in a safe location. [9]

Head coaching record

College

YearTeamOverallConferenceStandingBowl/playoffs
Northwestern State Demons (Southland Conference)(2018–2023)
2018 Northwestern State 5–64–5T–8th
2019 Northwestern State 3–93–6T–8th
2020–21 Northwestern State 1–51–57th
2021 Northwestern State 3–83–5T–5th
2022 Northwestern State 4–74–23rd
2023 Northwestern State 0–60–2
Northwestern State:16–4115–25
Total:16–41

High school

YearTeamOverallConferenceStandingBowl/playoffs
Ruston Bearcats ()(2013–2016)
2013Ruston8–43–23rdL LHSAA Class 5A Regionals
2014Ruston7–54–12ndL LHSAA Class 5A 1st Round
2015Ruston6–53–23rdL LHSAA Class 5A 1st Round
2016Ruston7–44–12ndL LHSAA Class 5A 1st Round
Ruston:28–1814–6
Natchitoches Central Chiefs ()(2024–present)
2024Natchitoches Central0–00–0
Natchitoches Central:0–00–0
Total:28–18

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The 2019 Northwestern State Demons football team represented Northwestern State University as a member of the Southland Conference during the 2019 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Led by second-year head coach Brad Laird, the Demons compiled an overall record of 3–9 with a mark of 3–6 in conference play, tying for eighth place in the Southland. Northwestern State played home games at Harry Turpin Stadium in Natchitoches, Louisiana.

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The 2021 Northwestern State Demons football team represented Northwestern State University as a member of the Southland Conference during the 2021 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Led by fourth-year head coach Brad Laird, the Demons compiled an overall record of 3–8 with a mark of 3–5 in conference play, tying for fourth place in the Southland. Northwestern State played home games at Harry Turpin Stadium in Natchitoches, Louisiana.

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The 2002 Northwestern State Demons football team represented Northwestern State University as a member of the Southland Conference during the 2002 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by first-year head coach Scott Stoker, the Demons compiled an overall record of 9–4 with a mark of 4–2 in conference play, placing in second in Southland. Northwestern advanced to the Division I-AA playoffs before losing to Montana. Northwestern State played home games at Harry Turpin Stadium in Natchitoches, Louisiana.

The 2000 Northwestern State Demons football team represented Northwestern State University as a member of the Southland Conference during the 2000 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by first-year head coach Steve Roberts, the Demons compiled an overall record of 6–5 with a mark of 3–4 in conference play, tying in fifth place in the Southland. Northwestern State played home games at Harry Turpin Stadium in Natchitoches, Louisiana.

References

  1. ↑ "Brad Laird - Demon Football Coach". Northwestern State Demons . Retrieved August 9, 2023.
  2. ↑ Owens, Tim (March 26, 2024). "Laird named Natchitoches Central football coach". KTALnews. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
  3. ↑ Ferrell, Scott (November 30, 2017). "Northwestern State formally introduces Brad Laird as head football coach". The Times . Archived from the original on October 28, 2020. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  4. ↑ Mongrue, Trey (July 13, 2018). "A Demon's Path: Brad Laird rings in new era at NSU". KALB. Archived from the original on September 27, 2018. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  5. ↑ "Northwestern State introduces Brad Laird as new football coach". The Advocate . November 30, 2017. Archived from the original on September 27, 2018. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  6. ↑ Kasabian, Paul (October 26, 2023). "Northwestern State Cancels Football Season, HC Resigns After Ronnie Caldwell's Death". Bleacher Report . Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Parents of killed Northwestern State player Ronnie Caldwell files lawsuit against former coach and Quad Apartment Complex". KTRK-TV. November 5, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  8. ↑ Desselle, Sherman (October 27, 2023). "Northwestern State University faces legal action after death of football player Ronnie Caldwell, Jr". KRIV . Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  9. ↑ Henderson, Cydney (November 4, 2023). "Ronnie Caldwell Jr.: Parents of NSU player file wrongful death lawsuit". USA Today . Retrieved November 28, 2023.


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