Nelson Stokely in the Sugar BowlFormer LSU quarterback as well as UL-Lafayette head football coach and athletic director Nelson Stokely passed away Saturday at the age of 66 following a prolonged battle with Alzheimer's Disease.
Born in Kennedy, Texas, Stokely quarterbacked the Tigers from 1965-67 before a successful career in coaching starting as an assistant at his alma mater in Baton Rouge.
Stokley was a talented dual-threat quarterback for LSU and helped the team to Cotton Bowl and Sugar Bowl victories over unbeatens Arkansas and Wyoming.
Later, Stokely was the quarterbacks coach at Virginia Tech from 1972-77 before a move to Clemson where he served as offensive coordinator (1979-86). In his tenure, the Tigers won the school's only national title in 1981.
Nelson StokelyAfter a return to Louisiana, Stokely guided the Ragin' Cajuns to unparalleled success in the history of the football program. He led the school to two championship as a member of the Big West Conference (1993-94). Stokley is perhaps best known as a head coach for for leading the Cajuns to a 29-22 upset of No. 25 Texas A&M in Lafayette in 1996.
Stokley, who served as the school's athletic director from April 6, 1988 until December 31, 1992, coached successful future NFL stars in Lafayette such as Brian Mitchell, Jake Delhomme and son Brandon Stokley.
The Crowley High alum lived in the Acadiana area from the time he took the head coaching job in Lafayette until his death.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
