Brad Laird

Brad Laird
Current position
TitleHead coach
TeamNatchitoches Central HS (LA)
Record1–7
Biographical details
Born (1973-06-20) June 20, 1973 (age 51)[1]
Playing career
1991–1995Northwestern State
Position(s)Quarterback
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1996Northwestern State (GA)
1997West Monroe HS (LA) (assistant)
1998Ouachita HS (AR) (assistant)
1999–2000Longview HS (TX) (QB)
2001–2002Nashville HS (AR) (assistant)
2003–2004Northwestern State (DC/LB)
2005Northwestern State (DC/DB)
2007Stephen F. Austin (LB)
2008Northwestern State (DC)
2009Northwestern State (AHC/co-DC)
2010–2011Northwestern State (AHC/DC)
2013–2016Ruston HS (LA)
2017Northwestern State (AHC/DC)
2018–2023Northwestern State
2024–presentNatchitoches Central HS (LA)
Head coaching record
Overall16–41 (college)
29–25 (high school)

Brad Laird (born June 20, 1973) is an American college football coach. He is the head coach at Natchitoches Central High School in Natchitoches, Louisiana, a position he has held since 2024.[2] He was the head football coach at Northwestern State University from 2018 to 2023. He previously served as an assistant football coach at Northwestern State, Stephen F. Austin State University, and various coaching positions at several high schools. Laird played college football at Northwestern State University, where he played quarterback.

Head coaching career

Northwestern State

Laird was named head football coach at Northwestern State University on November 20, 2017.[3][4][5] Laird resigned as the Demons' head coach on October 26, 2023; that same day, the university announced that the remainder of the football season would be cancelled to allow players and coaches time to grieve over the death of junior safety Ronnie Caldwell.[6]

On November 5, 2023, Caldwell's parents filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Quad Apartment Complex, where Caldwell lived and where the shooting occurred, and Laird.[7] According to the lawsuit, Caldwell was placed in an apartment with McIntosh, who was not attending college and had a history of legal trouble, after mold was found in Caldwell's original apartment.[8] The lawsuit also alleges that McIntosh pulled a gun on Caldwell three days before the shooting occurred. Caldwell then notified his father, Ronald, of the incident who then alerted Laird. Laird called Ronald, assuring him that he would immediately place Ronnie in a safe location.[9]

Head coaching record

College

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Northwestern State Demons (Southland Conference) (2018–2023)
2018 Northwestern State 5–6 4–5 T–8th
2019 Northwestern State 3–9 3–6 T–8th
2020–21 Northwestern State 1–5 1–5 7th
2021 Northwestern State 3–8 3–5 T–5th
2022 Northwestern State 4–7 4–2 3rd
2023 Northwestern State 0–6 0–2
Northwestern State: 16–41 15–25
Total: 16–41

High school

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Ruston Bearcats () (2013–2016)
2013 Ruston 8–4 3–2 3rd L LHSAA Class 5A Regionals
2014 Ruston 7–5 4–1 2nd L LHSAA Class 5A 1st Round
2015 Ruston 6–5 3–2 3rd L LHSAA Class 5A 1st Round
2016 Ruston 7–4 4–1 2nd L LHSAA Class 5A 1st Round
Ruston: 28–18 14–6
Natchitoches Central Chiefs () (2024–present)
2024 Natchitoches Central 1–9 1-7 T-7th
Natchitoches Central: 1–9 1-7
Total: 29–27

References

  1. ^ "Brad Laird - Demon Football Coach". Northwestern State Demons. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
  2. ^ Owens, Tim (March 26, 2024). "Laird named Natchitoches Central football coach". KTALnews. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
  3. ^ Ferrell, Scott (November 30, 2017). "Northwestern State formally introduces Brad Laird as head football coach". The Times. Archived from the original on October 28, 2020. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  4. ^ Mongrue, Trey (July 13, 2018). "A Demon's Path: Brad Laird rings in new era at NSU". KALB. Archived from the original on September 27, 2018. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  5. ^ "Northwestern State introduces Brad Laird as new football coach". The Advocate. November 30, 2017. Archived from the original on September 27, 2018. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  6. ^ Kasabian, Paul (October 26, 2023). "Northwestern State Cancels Football Season, HC Resigns After Ronnie Caldwell's Death". Bleacher Report. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  7. ^ "Parents of killed Northwestern State player Ronnie Caldwell files lawsuit against former coach and Quad Apartment Complex". KTRK-TV. November 5, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  8. ^ Desselle, Sherman (October 27, 2023). "Northwestern State University faces legal action after death of football player Ronnie Caldwell, Jr". KRIV. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  9. ^ Henderson, Cydney (November 4, 2023). "Ronnie Caldwell Jr.: Parents of NSU player file wrongful death lawsuit". USA Today. Retrieved November 28, 2023.


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