McNeese State University is a public university in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Founded in 1939 as Lake Charles Junior College, it was renamed McNeese Junior College after John McNeese, an early local educator. The present name was adopted in 1970. McNeese is part of the University of Louisiana System and is classified as a Master's University. The selective admissions university consists of six colleges and the Doré School of Graduate Studies. McNeese is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and all programs of study are accredited by their respective national boards.
Kerry Tremaine Joseph is an American football coach and former quarterback who is the quarterbacks coach for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the assistant quarterbacks coach for the Seattle Seahawks from 2022 to 2023.
Mark Lee Simoneau is a former American college and professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for ten seasons. He played college football for Kansas State University and was recognized as an All-American. He was picked by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft, and played for the Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs of the NFL.
Brandon Kemar Browner is an American former professional football player and convicted felon. He played as a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for the Oregon State Beavers before signing with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2005. Browner spent four seasons with the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL, where he was a three-time CFL All-Star and won a Grey Cup championship in 2008 before signing with the Seattle Seahawks before the 2011 season. After winning the Super Bowl with Seattle in 2013 and the New England Patriots in 2014, Browner became one of the few players to win two consecutive Super Bowls as a member of two teams. Browner is a convicted felon and is serving 8 years in prison for attempted murder.
Jeffrey Kalei Faine is an American former professional football player who was a center in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Cleveland Browns 21st overall in the 2003 NFL draft. He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Buck Ortega is a former American football tight end who played in the National Football League. He was signed by the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He played college football at the University of Miami.
Jacob David Bender is an American former professional football player who was a guard and offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) and United Football League (UFL). He was selected by the New York Jets in the sixth round in the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Nicholls State University.
Paul Buford Jordan is a former professional American football running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the New Orleans Saints.
Jedidiah Gabriel Collins is an American former professional football player who was a fullback in the National Football League (NFL). He was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2008. After playing college football at Washington State. He was also a member of the Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints, Detroit Lions, and Dallas Cowboys.
Brandon Tate is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2009 NFL draft. He played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels.
Marcus Brown is a former American football cornerback. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at McNeese State.
The McNeese Cowboys football program is the intercollegiate American football team for McNeese State University located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The team competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) and are members of the Southland Conference. McNeese's first football team was fielded in 1940. The team plays its home games at the 17,410 seat Cowboy Stadium in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Larry James Matson is an American broadcaster and sports commentator. In 1974, he was the broadcast voice of the Birmingham Americans of the World Football League. He fulfilled the same duties for the successor Birmingham Vulcans in 1975. In 1977, he moved to New Orleans to serve as play-by-play announcer for Tulane University's ISP Sports Network.
Adam Henry is an American football coach and former player who is the wide receivers coach for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). Henry has previously served as wide receivers coach for the Indiana Hoosiers, LSU, San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns, and New York Giants. He also served as tight ends coach for the Oakland Raiders. He has coached Pro Bowlers Odell Beckham Jr., Anquan Boldin, Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, Jarvis Landry, and Zach Miller.
Frank Wilson III is an American football coach. He is the associate head coach and running backs coach at Louisiana State University (LSU). Wilson served as the head football coach at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) from 2016 to 2019 and McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana from 2020 to 2021.
Tobais Palmer is a former American football wide receiver. He played college football at North Carolina State. He was a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars, San Diego Chargers, New Orleans Saints, Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers, Carolina Panthers, Montreal Allouettes, Toronto Argonauts, and The Birmingham Iron.
Nicholas Cozat Marquis Jacobs is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New Orleans Saints after the 2014 NFL Draft. He played college football at McNeese State, after transferring from Louisiana State.
Elijah Lamont McGuire Jr. is an American former football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UL Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns.
Zack Baun is an American football linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Wisconsin and was selected 74th overall by the Saints in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Derrick Kelly II is an American football offensive guard for the San Antonio Brahmas of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Florida State.
