One day after athletic director John Hartwell stepped down, UL Monroe named its head football coach, Bryant Vincent, as his temporary replacement.

Vincent will serve as interim athletic director as he enters his second season coaching the Warhawks on the gridiron.

“I am grateful to Bryant for stepping up to serve as interim AD. Not only is Bryant a leader, but he builds teams and communities,” UL Monroe president Dr. Carrie L. Castille said in a statement. “Bryant has the support of the Associate ADs and will be working closely with them to ensure he can serve both roles and win games. He has already gained the support of this community as a head coach, and I hope that everyone will join me in rallying around him to support ULM Athletics. I have no doubt in Bryant’s ability to serve in both roles with excellence and a winning spirit.”

In the meantime, the university will launch a national search for a full-time athletic director.

Vincent, 49, took over at UL Monroe ahead of the 2024 season and helped the Sun Belt program go 5-7 — the Warhawks’ best season since a matching 5-7 record in 2019. The program is 15-43 this decade and last made a bowl game in 2012.

UL Monroe hasn’t performed much better in other sports; it finished last in the Sun Belt in men’s basketball and baseball in 2024-25.

Previously, Vincent served as UAB’s interim head coach for the 2022 season following the retirement of Bill Clark. Vincent’s team went 7-6 and won the Bahamas Bowl.

Hartwell resigned Monday after 2 1/2 years in the AD role. A statement from the university said Hartwell left to pursue other professional opportunities.

–Field Level Media