(JULIE BENNETT)
Louisiana-Lafayette has fired defensive coordinator Melvin Smith, a day after the Ragin' Cajuns lost 45-10 at home to Boise State in their 2016 season-opener.
Smith, who spent the 2013 and 2014 seasons as cornerbacks coach at Auburn and coached at Alabama in 2002, was hired as ULL's assistant head coach and cornerbacks coach in January 2015 and soon after promoted to defensive coordinator. The Ragin' Cajuns finished tied for fifth in the Sun Belt Conference in total defense last season, but allowed 584 yards in Saturday's loss.
"We appreciate everything that Melvin has done for us since coming here, and we wish he and his family nothing but the best in the future," head coach Mark Hudspeth said.