Lamar University Athletics

Wayne Cordova is in his fifth season with Lamar after making the move from Baton Rouge, La., where he spent one season on staff at Southern University. Cordova is an assistant on the defensive staff working directly with the LU safeties.
 
In his first season in Beaumont, Cordova helped transform sophomore Anthony Ruffin into one of the top young defensive backs at the FCS level. A third-team all-conference selection in just his second season with the team, Ruffin led the Cardinals with 43 stops, including 28 solo tackles, and a team-high three interceptions in the COVID-shortened 2020 season. Ruffin was named SLC Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in helping LU record a victory over Northwestern State.
 
Cordova had similar results with his troops the following season. Three of the Cardinals top four tacklers were safeties. That same trio also combined for four interceptions and transfer Divine Buckrham was one of the top newcomers in the WAC recording 44 tackles (17 solos) and one pick. 
 
In his first season on staff with Rossomando, Cordova produced some of the league’s top talent in the secondary. One of the top newcomers in the league, Joshua Ofili garnered second-team All-SLC honors after leading the team and ranking among the league’s elite in tackles. Ofili finished the season with 74 stops (33 solos), 2.5 tackles for losses, three pass breakups, one interception and one fumble recovery. Also a candidate for all-conference honors last season, Kristian Pugh finished second on the team with 60 total tackles and one interception.
 
During his time in Baton Rouge, Cordova coached the Jaguars' safeties and served as the special teams coordinator. While at Southern, Cordova turned sophomore Tamaurice Smith into one of the league's top defensive backs. Smith garnered All-SWAC honors following a season that saw him record 27 tackles and a team-high five interceptions, including eight pass break ups.

Cordova made the move to Southern following two seasons in Lake Charles, La., serving as the safeties coach for his alma mater, McNeese. During his time with the Cowboys, Cordova produced an All-Southland selection in Dominique Hill. He also handled the role of Cowboys' director of football operations.

Cordova joined the collegiate ranks after earning his stripes at the high school level. He spent the 2016 season at Newman High School (La.) where he was the defensive coordinator, and prior to that, was on the Tulane Green Wave staff for two years as the Director of Player Personnel-External Relations. Cordova previously served as the head coach at St. Augustine (2006-08) and served as an assistant coach at Destrehan (2012-13) and Brother Martin (2009-11). Cordova got his start at the collegiate level at Grambling in 2013 where he was the Director of Player Personnel. 
 
As a player, Cordova was named a member of the 75^th Anniversary Football Team as well as playing for the Cowboys' Southland Championship and 1997 National Championship Runner-Up squad. He helped guide McNeese to two playoff appearances during that time. A 1999 first-team All-Southland Football League selection, Cordova was named the Johnnie Caldarera Defensive Player of the Year after posting 113 tackles. He ended his career with 305 total tackles, ranking 11th on the school career record list.

He received his bachelor's degree from McNeese in 2005. Cordova has three children.