Former head coach Ron Roberts had a 42-29 record leading the football program which consists of consecutive Southland Conference championships and NCAA FCS playoff appearances in the 2013 and 2014. File Photo/The Lion's Roar

Former head coach of the Lions football team Ron Roberts has taken on a new role as the defensive coordinator at University of Louisiana at Lafayette after he resigned last week.

With his departure, the national search for a new head coach has begun. In an interview for Lionsports.net, Director of Athletics Jay Artigues expressed his thoughts on Roberts’ tenure as head coach.

“We’re extremely thankful to coach Roberts for his dedication in taking our football program to unprecedented heights,” said Artigues. “He’s been a tremendous asset to our university and is leaving our program in great shape. We plan on moving swiftly, but thoroughly, in our search for our next head football coach.”

Greg Stevens, who recently rejoined the program as offensive coordinator, is currently the interim head coach.