OSU's Joe DeForest Passed Over by Lafayette

DeForest was among the top candidates for the Ragin' Cajuns head coaching position.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:05 pm

By: News On 6

OSU's Joe DeForest Passed Over by Lafayette

Originally Published: Dec 10, 2010 4:38 PM CDT

Corey DeMoss
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

LAFAYETTE, Louisiana – Several outlets reported Friday that Louisiana-Lafeyette has hired Mark Hudspeth as its new head coach, eliminating Oklahoma State assistant Joe DeForest from contention.

DeForest has been a part of the OSU program for 10 years as a special teams and safeties coach. The Cowboys have enjoyed special teams success for the last few years, with kicker Dan Bailey winning the 2010 Lou Groza Award and punter Quinn Sharp named a Ray Guy Award candidate in 2009.

Reports earlier in the week indicated that DeForest had been interviewed for the open Lafayette position and that he was among the leading candidates. The Ragin’ Cajuns dismissed head coach Ricky Bustle last week after a nine-year stint as head coach.

Hudspeth has been wide receivers coach at Mississippi State for the last seasons and was head coach at North Alabama before that.