BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University head football coach Pete Rossomando announced the promotion of assistant coaches Andrew Sparano and Matt Cannata Monday morning, along with the hiring of Brett Kean and Mike Gardner. Sparano takes over as the offensive coordinator while Cannata has been promoted to co-coordinator. Kean will coach the Cardinals' quarterbacks and Gardner will serve as the Cardinals' Director of Strength and Conditioning.
 
Both Sparano and Cannata have been with the university since Rossomando's arrival and served key roles in helping revitalize the program culminating in a 2025 campaign that tied the single-season school record for wins and advanced to the NCAA FCS Playoffs for just the second time in program history.
 
"Just being able to watch Sparano and Cannata with our players and seeing their knowledge and expertise with the game, I felt like this was the right time for them to work together to build our offense," said Rossomando.
 
During their brief time in the Golden Triangle, both have already produced some big-time talent for Big Red. Sparano has served as the tight ends coach during his time with LU and helped convert former high school quarterback Devyn Gibbs into one of the Southland's top tight ends over the course of the past three seasons. One of the best tight ends in program history, Gibbs wrapped up his career with consecutive All-Southland honors including a first-team selection in 2025.
 
It is a similar situation with Cannata overseeing the Cardinals' offensive line. During his three years with the Cardinals, five linemen have received all-conference honors including two first-team selections. Cannata has also produced a Freshman All-American. The strength of the Cardinals' line also helped produced the league's second-leading rusher in 2023 and the SLC leading ground-gainer in 2024 (Khalan Griffin).
 
Kean makes his way to Beaumont from Washington D.C. where he spent the previous season at Howard serving as the quarterbacks coach and co-offensive coordinator. During his lone season with the Bison, Kean coached first-year starter Tyriq Starks into one of the MEAC's top quarterbacks. Starks ended the year ranked fourth in the MEAC in quarterback efficiency after a season that watched him complete nearly 60 percent of his passes for 1,884 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also rushed for four touchdowns in 2025.
 
"Kean brings a tremendous background with him from the FBS level having made coaching stops at Florida Atlantic, Akron and Charlotte," said Rossomando. "He not only has a great understanding of the offense, but also knows defenses and will be able to help our quarterbacks read and react to coverages."
 
A young up-and-coming coach, Kean has also made stops at Florida Atlantic and Akron. Kean's collegiate coaching career began as a graduate assistant at Charlotte. Kean spent two seasons in Charlotte before making the move to the junior college ranks (coaching quarterbacks at Independence Community College).
 
Gardner, makes a return to Lamar, to take over the strength and conditioning role for the football program. A former director of strength and condition for the Cardinal baseball team, Gardner returns to the Golden Triangle after spending the past year at McNeese.
 
Gardner's career in sports performance spans 25 years dating back to his start as an intern with the LSU football, basketball and baseball programs. His career has included stops at the high school, junior college and NCAA FCS and FBS levels.
 
Prior to his first stop with Lamar, Gardner spent the previous three seasons in Monroe, La., serving as the UL Monroe Director of Strength and Conditioning. During that time, he oversaw the entire strength and conditioning department and also served as the football team's nutritionist. Gardner got is start at ULM as a senior associate director overseeing the baseball program.
 
"I knew of Mike from when he worked at ULM but I first met him when he worked with our baseball team," said Rossomando. "When I had the chance to fill this position he really stood out. He has a great demeanor with the student-athletes and knowledge of the game."