Southland Media Day: Coaches and Players Preview the 2026 Football Season

HOUSTON, Texas — The road to a Southland Conference championship officially began Tuesday as all 10 football programs gathered at the George R. Brown Convention Center for the 2026 Southland Conference Football Opening Drive.

Held in conjunction with the Texas High School Coaches Association Coaching School and Convention, the event gave each program an opportunity to discuss the offseason, introduce some of its veteran leaders and share expectations for the upcoming season.

The Southland enters 2026 with plenty of momentum after placing three teams in the 2025 FCS Playoffs and producing more NFL Draft selections than any other FCS conference. Conference commissioner Chris Grant said the event was an opportunity to celebrate that progress while previewing what could be another competitive season.

While every team arrived in Houston with a different story, confidence was not difficult to find.

East Texas A&M

East Texas A&M was represented by head coach Clint Dolezel, senior running back EJ Oakmon and junior defensive back Orion Kupu.

The Lions are still searching for the consistency needed to climb the Southland standings, but Dolezel spoke about a program that believes it is closer than its recent record might suggest. The focus throughout the offseason has been on finishing games, developing depth and creating a more consistent identity on both sides of the football.

Oakmon gives East Texas A&M an experienced option in the backfield. His message centered on leadership and setting the tone for a team that will need its veteran players to carry a larger responsibility.

Kupu discussed the confidence developing on defense and the importance of playing together rather than relying on one or two individuals to make every big play.

The Lions went through several interview sessions, including a coaches roundtable, player interviews, a press conference and appearances with local and national FCS media.

East Texas A&M is not entering the season with the same expectations placed on some of the league’s favorites, but that could give the Lions an opportunity to play loose and surprise teams.

Houston Christian

Houston Christian brought head coach Jason Bachtel, redshirt senior wide receiver Keith Wheeler and redshirt senior linebacker Trent Zappe to Houston.

Bachtel’s message focused on continued development and creating a stronger foundation throughout the program. After finishing 2-10 overall and 1-7 in conference play last season, the Huskies understand improvement will require more than one position group taking a step forward.

Wheeler spoke from the offensive side about helping establish consistency and giving the quarterback room to operate. As one of the older players on the roster, he will be expected to provide reliability within the receiving unit.

Zappe represented a defense looking to become more physical and more dependable. His emphasis was on accountability, communication and making sure the standard does not change when adversity arrives.

Houston Christian remains one of the league’s biggest unknowns. The Huskies will need their veteran players to stabilize the roster while younger contributors grow into larger roles.

Incarnate Word

Incarnate Word was represented by head coach Clint Killough, redshirt junior wide receiver Jameson Garcia and senior defensive lineman Terrell Elliott.

The Cardinals are trying to return to the standard established during their recent run as one of the premier programs in the FCS. Killough acknowledged the disappointment of last season but did not present 2026 as a complete rebuild.

Instead, UIW’s focus is on correcting what went wrong, reestablishing its identity and finding greater consistency from week to week.

Killough has also navigated changes within his coaching staff, including new leadership on offense and defense. The Cardinals have promoted Justin Bane to offensive coordinator, while Ben Olson leads the defense.

Garcia discussed the responsibility of the receiving corps to help restore the explosive offensive identity associated with UIW football. For the Cardinals to contend again, they will need players such as Garcia to create separation and turn routine completions into significant gains.

Elliott emphasized physicality along the defensive front. UIW has been known primarily for its offense during recent seasons, but improvement defensively could be what moves the Cardinals back into championship contention.

Lamar

Lamar arrived with head coach Pete Rossomando, junior defensive back Mar Mar Evans and senior offensive lineman John Hester.

Few programs in the Southland have improved as steadily as the Cardinals under Rossomando. Lamar has recorded three consecutive winning seasons and reached the FCS Playoffs in 2025. Rossomando has already won more games through his first three seasons than almost every head coach in program history had through four.

The next step is no longer simply becoming competitive. Lamar believes it is ready to win its first Southland championship since 1971.

Rossomando spoke about maintaining the physical, disciplined style that helped change the program while handling the increased expectations that now surround it.

Hester emphasized the responsibility of the offensive line. Lamar wants to establish the running game, control the line of scrimmage and avoid placing unnecessary pressure on its quarterback.

Evans discussed the confidence of the secondary and the importance of preventing explosive plays. With several dangerous offenses in the conference, Lamar’s defensive backs will be challenged almost every week.

The Cardinals open the season against Abilene Christian in a rematch of their 2025 FCS Playoff game, giving Lamar an immediate opportunity to measure itself against another postseason-level program.

McNeese

McNeese was represented by head coach Matt Viator, senior running back Tre’Vonte Citizen and senior safety Javon Davis.

Viator returned to Lake Charles last season and immediately helped the Cowboys take a step forward. McNeese finished 5-7 overall and 4-4 in the Southland after closing the year with four conference victories.

“We think we have the team that if we play well, we have a chance,” Viator said when discussing the conference race.

McNeese led the Southland in rushing yards per game last season, and Viator credited part of that success to quarterback Jake Strong’s willingness to contribute as a runner. He also acknowledged the challenge of keeping a quarterback healthy when he becomes such a large part of the rushing attack.

Citizen will be one of the central pieces in that ground game. The former LSU and Miami running back gives McNeese a combination of size, experience and natural ability. His message centered on staying healthy, helping the offense remain balanced and turning the Cowboys’ rushing success into more victories.

Davis discussed the need for McNeese to become more consistent defensively. The Cowboys showed improvement last season but must limit explosive plays and finish close games to move into the upper portion of the conference.

McNeese may not enter the year as the overwhelming favorite, but the Cowboys believe they have enough experience to become a legitimate factor in the title race.

Nicholls

Nicholls was represented by first-year head coach Tommy Rybacki, redshirt junior quarterback Ean Rodrigue and redshirt senior defensive lineman Alex Villavaso.

Rybacki takes over a program that has experienced both championship success and recent frustration. His message was not about making dramatic changes simply for the sake of change. Instead, Nicholls wants to retain the physical identity that made the Colonels successful while adding new energy and greater consistency.

Rodrigue enters the season with an opportunity to provide stability at quarterback. He spoke about becoming more comfortable within the offense, developing chemistry with the players around him and taking better care of the football.

The Colonels have often been at their best when their quarterback plays efficiently and allows the running game and defense to control the direction of the game.

Villavaso gives Nicholls an experienced leader on the defensive front. He recorded 49 tackles, six tackles for loss and two sacks last season, including a career-high 10 tackles against West Georgia.

His message centered on setting a physical tone and holding the defense to the standard that has defined Nicholls during its most successful seasons.

The Colonels are entering a new chapter, but their representatives made it clear that the expectation in Thibodaux remains competing for championships.

Northwestern State

Northwestern State brought head coach Blaine McCorkle, graduate running back Myion Hicks and graduate linebacker Danny Sears to Houston.

The Demons finished 1-11 last season, but their message at Media Day was not one of discouragement.

McCorkle spoke about the increased comfort surrounding the program. Players understand the system better, relationships have strengthened and the staff believes it now has more pieces capable of competing in the Southland.

Hicks and Sears were both selected as team captains, with Sears receiving the honor for the second consecutive season.

Hicks delivered one of the clearest messages of the day.

“We’re ready this year to surprise some people,” Hicks said. “We have the mentality, and we have the team to do it.”

Northwestern State has adopted the mentality of a potential party crasher. The Demons know few people outside the program expect them to contend, but Hicks believes that can become a source of motivation.

Sears spoke about leadership and remaining committed through difficult circumstances. His decision to return gives the defense an experienced voice and someone who understands what McCorkle is trying to build.

The Demons still have plenty to prove, but they appear more settled and confident entering McCorkle’s third season.

Southeastern Louisiana

Southeastern was represented by head coach Frank Scelfo, junior quarterback Kyle Lowe and senior defensive lineman Peyton Anderson.

The most consistent theme from the Lions was culture.

Southeastern lost important contributors from last season, but Scelfo pushed back against the idea that the Lions are rebuilding. The program views itself as reloading with players who have waited for their opportunity and are now ready to accept larger roles.

Lowe will be responsible for leading an offense that has traditionally been aggressive and willing to create opportunities downfield. He discussed the importance of preparation, trusting his teammates and being ready to handle the pressure attached to the quarterback position.

Anderson represented an experienced defensive front that will be expected to establish Southeastern’s physical identity. His message was about maintaining the culture built within the program and making sure new contributors understand what is expected.

Southeastern regularly develops players capable of replacing departing talent. The question is whether the next group can develop quickly enough to keep the Lions near the top of the conference.

Stephen F. Austin

Defending Southland champion Stephen F. Austin brought head coach Colby Carthel, redshirt senior offensive lineman Erik Gray and redshirt sophomore receiver and return specialist Bugs Mortimer.

SFA enters the season as the team everyone else is chasing.

The Lumberjacks finished 2025 with an 11-game winning streak before falling to Montana State in the FCS quarterfinals. They captured the conference championship and reached the national quarterfinals for the first time since 2009.

Carthel’s message focused on handling success correctly. Winning a championship has raised expectations, but the returning players also understand that last season’s accomplishments will not provide any advantages once the new schedule begins.

Gray spoke about leadership along the offensive line and the responsibility of protecting the quarterback while establishing the run. SFA’s experienced offensive front could be one of the most important pieces in its championship defense.

Mortimer’s offseason carried meaning far beyond football. The All-American return specialist underwent a procedure to donate stem cells to a patient battling leukemia, an experience that became one of the most significant stories surrounding Media Day.

On the field, Mortimer remains one of the conference’s most dangerous special-teams players. His speed and ability to change field position give SFA an advantage that does not always appear in the standard offensive statistics.

The Lumberjacks know every opponent will give them its best effort, but they have the experience and talent needed to remain the favorite until someone proves otherwise.

UTRGV

UTRGV was represented by head coach Travis Bush, redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Nick Hughes and redshirt sophomore linebacker Jaiden Haygood.

The Vaqueros are no longer simply celebrating the arrival of football in the Rio Grande Valley. After completing their first season, the program is now focused on becoming a consistent contender.

Bush spoke about the difference between building a roster for an inaugural season and developing an established program. UTRGV now has game film, experience and a clearer understanding of what it takes to compete throughout a full Southland schedule.

Hughes discussed the growth of the offensive line. Last season provided valuable experience, but the standard must rise as the Vaqueros face a full nine-game round-robin conference schedule for the first time.

Haygood emphasized speed, communication and confidence on defense. UTRGV’s younger players are no longer entering games without college experience, and the Vaqueros believe that familiarity will allow them to play faster.

The excitement surrounding the program remains strong, but the conversation has shifted. UTRGV does not want to be viewed only as the conference’s newest football program. The Vaqueros want to be viewed as a championship contender.

A Wide-Open Race

Media Day rarely provides definitive answers, but it does reveal how programs see themselves.

Stephen F. Austin arrived as the defending champion. Lamar believes it is ready to take the final step. UTRGV wants to build on its opening season, while Southeastern and Incarnate Word expect to remain among the league’s most dangerous programs.

McNeese and Nicholls believe their Louisiana roots and physical identities can carry them into the race. East Texas A&M, Houston Christian and Northwestern State hope to challenge expectations and become the teams no contender wants to overlook.

The Southland will play a true nine-game round-robin conference schedule in 2026, meaning every team will face every other program. There will be no avoiding a contender and very little room for a slow start.

Nothing was decided in Houston, but one thing was obvious by the end of the day.

Every program believes it has a reason to enter the season with confidence.

Now, each one must prove it on the field.