BEAUMONT, Texas – At this time of year, it is custom for schools to post position breakdowns, and while we will be doing those again, we also wanted to touch on the Cardinals' coaching staff. While all these moves have already been announced, the Cardinals enter the 2026 campaign with a realigned staff which bears repeating. The realignment consists of promotions and new hires.
 
Any time a team has the success that Lamar has seen in head coach Pete Rossomando's first three years change is inevitable. Other schools see that success and want to take coaches to fill gaps on their respective staff, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Fans shouldn't get upset when it happens either – it is the way the world works. Get a job, work hard, be the best you can and then move up the ladder up the ladder. At the end of the day, we should be thankful for what those coaches did for the Red and White and wish them well.
 
With that being said, lets first take a look at the promotions. Fourth-year assistant Andrew Sparano took on the added role of offensive coordinator. Sparano has been alongside Rossomando during every step of the rebuild and deserves his shot. Normally one of the more vocal coaches on the practice field Sparano has worked with the Cardinal tight ends since his arrival – and he will continue to do so. During his time in the Golden Triangle, he has produced multiple all-conference selections including a 2025 first-team selection (Devyn Gibbs).
 
"I've known Sparano since he was three-years old," said Rossomando. "I had the opportunity to work with him at New Haven and got to watch him grow as a coach. He did a lot of play calling for us in the last half of the year last year and I knew it was his time."
 
Offensive line coach Matt Cannata was promoted to co-offensive coordinator. Another assistant who has been with Rossomando since the beginning, Cannata's line has produced multiple all-conference selections each season including a two first-team honorees and a freshman All-American.
 
"Matt and I know each of from Charlotte," said Rossomando. "He is a great offensive line coach and has a great offensive mind. He has done a great job as our recruiting coordinator during his time here as well. I love his input on the offensive side of the ball which is why I wanted to move him up."
 
On the defensive side of the ball, Morgan Ford was promoted to assistant head coach. Ford, who works with Big Red's outside linebackers, is in his second stint with Lamar. Originally hired as a quality control coach on the previous staff, Ford made a strong impression on Rossomando upon his arrival but by that time Ford had accepted a position to coach at UL Monroe and eventually take a position on staff with the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL.
 
"Morgan is a 409 guy from Port Arthur," said Rossomando. "I had the chance to meet Morgan my first day on the job here. I always thought that if I had an opportunity I would hire him. He just continues to grow as a young coach. I'm so impressed with his unique ability to get guys to work together."
 
The new additions to the staff during the offseason were Brett Kean (quarterbacks) and Reggie Marshall (defensive line).
 
Kean first connected with Rossomando while he was at Charlotte. A former standout at South Florida, Kean has the pedigree of a former offensive coordinator who has a strong track record of producing quarterbacks – he will have a talented young crop of signal callers to work with as all of them have multiple years of eligibility remaining.

"Coach Kean is a great coach," said Rossomando. "He has a real good résumé which includes being an offensive coordinator. Brett is really good at coaching the technical end of being a quarterback. He is good at developing quarterbacks and we're happy to have him here."
Marshall comes to Lamar after spending the past two seasons at Texas State. During his time in San Marcos, he helped coach the Bobcats to consecutive bowl game appearances and produced five All-Sun Belt selections. He joins the LU staff with an understanding of the Southland Conference having spent three seasons at UIW.
 
"Reggie will be taking over for Lorenzo Jackson who did an amazing job for us," said Rossomando. "We interviewed extensively when this position came open and as the say 'the cream always rises to the top' and that was the case with Reggie. The thing you see in an interview with a D-Line coach is when he talks about drills and then turns the game film on and you see where the drills impact on the film. He came highly recommended from some other coaches that I know and trust and he hasn't disappointed. He is an incredible recruiter and does a great job developing players."