HAMMOND, La. – Another Louisiana native with head coaching experience has joined the Southeastern Louisiana football coaching staff, as Raymond Monica will serve as the assistant head coach and defensive line coach, SLU head coach Frank Scelfo announced on Friday.
 
Monica's hire is pending the approval of the University of Louisiana System's Board of Supervisors. The Garyville, Louisiana native and East St. John High School alumnus comes to Hammond with nearly three decades of collegiate coaching experience.
 
"We're fortunate to add another quality coach from Louisiana in Raymond Monica," Scelfo commented. "He's had a lot of success in his previous stops and he's going to bring a great deal of knowledge and experience to our staff."
 
Monica, who has spent his coaching career outside of the Pelican State, is grateful for the chance to come back home.
 
"I'm very thankful to Coach Scelfo for providing me with this opportunity," Monica said. "My family and I are excited to be coming back to Louisiana and we're happy to be part of the Southeastern community."
 
Monica spent the previous six seasons as head coach at Division II Arkansas Tech. During his tenure, the Wonder Boys made a pair of postseason bowl appearances and finished with a 34-34 record.
 
Prior to his time in Arkansas, he spent seven seasons as the head coach at Kutztown University in Pennsylvania. Monica led the Golden Bears to consecutive playoff appearances in 2010 and 2011, including the program's first-ever Pennsylvania State Athletics Conference championship in 2011.
 
Monica's 2011 squad finished the season ranked sixth in the national rankings. The finish in the rankings and the 11 wins posted by KU in 2011 marked the best showings in the history of the program.
 
A 1990 graduate of North Alabama, he started his full-time coaching career at his alma mater following graduation. Monica served as the defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator for the Lions, who won consecutive national championships in 1993, 1994 and 1995 under head coach Bobby Wallace.
 
In 1997, Monica went with Wallace to Temple, where he would spend the next eight seasons. Monica was the Owls' defensive coordinator throughout his tenure, serving as assistant head coach in each of the final seven seasons.
 
During his time in Philadelphia, Monica was named one of the top assistant coaches in the country by Sports Illustrated in its 2003 College Football preview. Described by the publication as one of the nation's "Wise Guides", Monica was lauded by SI for being "the best in the nation at getting ordinary players to do extraordinary things."
 
Among his charges included 2002 Big East Conference Defensive Player of the Year Dan Klecko, as well as fellow future NFL players in Rian Wallace, Raheem Brock, Russell Newman and Calvin Wilkinson.
 
Monica and his wife, Linda, are the parents of Ray, Lindsay and Austin.
 
Southeastern will open 2019 preparations with spring practice starting on March 12. The annual Spring Game is scheduled for April 13 at 2 p.m. The Lions will open the 2019 season at home, hosting Jacksonville State on Aug. 31.
 
Raymond Monica, Defensive Line
Hometown: Garyville, Louisiana
Education: North Alabama, 1990
 
Coaching Timeline
2019 – Southeastern Louisiana – Defensive Line
2013-18 – Arkansas Tech – Head Coach
2006-12 – Kutztown (Pa.) University – Head Coach
1998-05 – Temple – Defensive Coordinator (Assistant Head Coach 1999-05)
1992-97 – North Alabama – Defensive Line/Recruiting Coordinator
1989 – North Alabama – Student Assistant (Running Backs)
1988 – Northeast Mississippi JC – Student Assistant (Running Backs)
 
Playing Career
Northeast Mississippi JC, QB
 
CLEAR BAG POLICY
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Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the football program are encouraged to join the Touchdown Club. Lion football alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners.
 
All membership fees and donations to both the Touchdown Club and S Club (football) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern football program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
 
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