Former LSU coach leads NSU into Tiger Stadium

This Saturday won't be Northwestern State University coach Bradley Dale Peveto's first night under the lights in Tiger Stadium, but it will be his first as head coach on the visitors' sideline.

Peveto, a Texas native and former defensive back at Southern Methodist University, took the job as NSU's head coach in December 2008. He previously spent four years as an assistant coach at LSU under coach Les Miles.

"LSU is a place that is dear to my heart," Peveto said. "I was very lucky and fortunate to spend four wonderful years there and be under the leadership of coach Les Miles."

From 2005-2007, Peveto was the special teams coordinator.

In 2008, he was named co-defensive coordinator alongside Doug Mallory following the departure of Bo Pelini to Nebraska. Peveto also coached the linebackers throughout his four-year tenure at LSU.

In 2008, LSU's defense didn't perform as well as many expected. After the season, Peveto was offered and took the head coaching job at NSU. Mallory ended up as defensive coordinator at the University of New Mexico.

During his time at LSU, Peveto coached and developed many key players that contributed to on defense. Ali Highsmith, former Arizona Cardinals linebacker, was named an All-American under Peveto's tutelage. Darry Beckwith also earned All-Southeastern Conference honors with Peveto's guidance.

Peveto also helped recruit many players starting for the Tigers this year. He said he is excited they are making an impact. Among the players he helped coerce to LSU are senior quarterback Jarrett Lee and senior offensive lineman T-Bob Hebert.

At his weekly press conference Tuesday, Miles said he has great respect for Peveto and had good things to say about Peveto's NSU Demons.

"Bradley Dale Peveto is a coach off of my staff that has gone there [NSU] and has done a great job," Miles said.

Miles said NSU is a talented team and Peveto has them playing with great passion.

"He has them flying around and well organized," Miles said. "It's a very solid scheme, very solid football."

Based on comments from Peveto, the respect is mutual.

"So much of what I learned under coach Miles I carried with me to Northwestern State," Peveto said. "About 99 percent of what we do here, in so many different aspects of our program, are things I learned from Coach Miles."

Peveto said that Miles was always very organized and held everybody — players, coaches and staff — accountable.

NSU senior linebacker Yaser Elqutub and senior offensive lineman Zach Case reflected the same sentiments about Peveto.

"His biggest thing is that he always coaches us to do the right thing, on and off the field," Elqutub said. "He's been like a father figure to me."

Elqutub and Case have been at NSU longer than Peveto. But things have changed for the better in Natchitoches since Peveto's arrival, they said.

"Everything is first class now," Case said.

Elqutub said one of the biggest changes has been long term goals for the program, with more of a focus on academics and the player's personal lives.

While Peveto was described by his players as thorough and caring of his team, Elqutub and Case also emphasized Peveto's passion for the game and having things done the right way.

"He's a fiery guy that always has a spark to him," Case said. "He's always getting into something, always full speed ahead."