-LU CARDINALS-

BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University head football coachwill not return for the 2017 season announced Director of AthleticsMonday afternoon."We would like to thank Coach Woodard for all that he has done for the Lamar University football program," said Henderson. "It still remains our goal to compete for championships, and to put our student-athletes in a position to be successful on the field and in the classroom."Woodard served as the Cardinals head coach for seven seasons. During that time Woodard's troops posted a 34-46 (.425) overall record. The Cardinals were 17-30 (.362) in Southland Conference games, with their highest finish coming in 2014 (5-3/T3rd). The Cardinals finished the 2016 campaign with a 3-8 (.273) overall record.Woodard was hired in 2008 to restart the program which had been dormant since the 1989 season. The Cardinals won five games in 2010, the program's first season back on the field. Woodard's high-water mark came in 2014 when he guided the Cardinals to an 8-4 campaign."I would like to personally thank Dr. Jimmy Simmons and Billy Tubbs for giving me the great opportunity to be the head coach at Lamar," said Woodard. "It's been an honor to coach here and I'm proud of what we accomplished. I only want good things for Lamar University and this program."I received my doctorate degree during my time here. I would also like to thank all the people in the Educational Leadership program who helped me along the way," added Woodard.LU will begin a national search to find Woodard's replacement.