|
| Ricky Matt was head coach for two seasons for TLU. Texas Lutheran athletics file photo |
Texas Lutheran football coach Ricky Matt announced his retirement from coaching after 43 years of coaching, including two seasons at the helm of the Bulldogs.
Matt went 6-9 in his two seasons, all of which were contained entirely in the 2021 calendar year. TLU went 3-2 in the COVID-shortened spring campaign, then 3-7 in the fall.
"It has been a privilege and an honor to serve as a coach and mentor to many young men at TLU," said Matt. "I want to thank president (Debbie) Cottrell and (athletic director Bill) Miller for this opportunity. Also, a special thanks to the Bulldogs coaching family and all of the players who have blessed my life."
Neal LaHue, who was the offensive coordinator in Seguin for two seasons under previous TLU coach Carl Gustafson, will return as head coach. With 35 years of coaching experience, LaHue has been the assistant head coach, offensive coordinator, and quarterbacks coach at Division-II Texas A&M-Kingsville.
"I am beyond blessed and excited to return to TLU and lead this tradition-rich program as the head football coach," LaHue said. "Our goal will always be to make a positive impact on the athletes that come to TLU to get a great education and play college football."
It's the first collegiate head coaching position for the longtime assistant and high school assistant coach and head coach. LaHue's collegiate experience also featured a stop at Texas A&M-Kingsville in 2002 where he spent four years alongside Salinas under Richard Cundiff as the offensive coordinator and helped guide the Javelinas to a 30-7 mark from 2002-04, two NCAA Division II national semifinal appearances, two West Region championships, and three Lone Star Conference championships.
LaHue received his bachelor's degree in physical education and health from Texas A&I in 1985.