By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

THIBODAUX – Nicholls State has hired Central Missouri offensive coordinator Charlie Stubbs as its new head football coach, ending speculation that St. Charles Catholic coach Frank Monica would be moving on the university.

Monica was one of 10 finalists for the position was and considered by many as one of the frontrunners.

“There were some reports that it was a done deal, but I’ve said all along that those were inaccurate,” said Monica on Monday. “Now its time to move on.”

Stubbs, a veteran coach of 31 years, replaces Jay Thomas, who was fired Nov. 20 after the Colonels posted a 3-8 mark this season.

Stubbs has been an offensive coordinator at a host of schools over the last 14 years, which includes six years as an assistant head coach.

Monica outlasted all but nine others on what began as a 42-man list of candidates for the job.

He’s headed the St. Charles program as coach and athletic director for the last decade. SCC finished 12-2 this season, a state semifinalist, with its only losses coming to John Curtis.