Bobby Keasler, the former head coach of the McNeese State Cowboys, passed away at the age of 80, prompting a wave of tributes across the college football community.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday at Johnson Funeral Home in Lake Charles, where friends, family, and former players will gather to celebrate his life.
A Legacy of Leadership
Keasler’s tenure at McNeese State marked a turning point for the program, which had endured lean years before his arrival. Under his guidance the team captured four Southland Conference championships between 1991 and 1997, and in 1997 the Cowboys advanced to the Division I‑AA national championship game.
His impact extended beyond wins; he mentored 53 first‑team All‑Southland selections and 16 athletes who earned All‑American honors, many of whom credit him with shaping their professional trajectories.
A native of New Iberia, Keasler excelled as a three‑sport athlete at New Iberia High School before launching a coaching career that began in local middle and high schools and later included stints at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, where he concluded his coaching journey.
Colleagues and players alike remember him as a fantastic human being, a mentor, and a loss felt deeply throughout the state.