McNeese Vice President and Director of Athletics Heath Schroyer has announced a four-year contract extension with an option for a fifth year for Cowgirl record-setting softball coach James Landreneau.
Landreneau guided the Cowgirls to their fourth-consecutive Southland Conference regular season championship in 2025, the first conference team in the history of the league to win four straight titles.
“Coach Landreneau has built a championship program that graduates engaged alumni every single year. That’s why I’m so excited to re-sign him with this long-term extension,” said Schroyer. “It was important for me, especially going into this new year, to let coach know how much we appreciate what he’s built here. I’m looking forward to his team’s continued success.”
Landreneau has compiled a record of 339-181 in will begin his 10th season at the helm this season, and 14th overall at McNeese. He’s guided the Cowgirls to five regular season and five conference tournament championships while making five appearances in the NCAA Tournament.
“McNeese State University is a special place, and I’m honored to continue to lead this program,” said Landreneau. I want to thank Athletic Director Heath Schroyer (McNeese) Interim President Dr. Kedrick Nicholas, and Deputy AD Bridget Martin for their trust and support. This extension allows me to continue serving a community that I love and a place that has been incredibly good to me and my family. There’s never been a better time to be at McNeese, and I’m proud to be part of the momentum and vision shaping this university. We’ve built a culture centered on toughness, connection, and doing things the right way, and I’m incredibly proud of the young women who represent this university every day. I’m excited for what’s ahead as we keep pushing this program to new standards.”
Landreneau is a four-time conference Coach of the Year (2017, 2022, 2024, 2025), was named Louisiana Coach of the Year in 2022, has recorded six 40-win seasons (2017, 2018, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025), including four straight years, and won a school-record 47 games in 2023.
He’s coached the Cowgirls to the regional championship game in 2022 and 2023 and finished second in the NISC national tournament in 2019.
In conference only play, Landreneau’s teams have compiled a 163-41 record for a league-record .799 winning percentage. At home, the Cowgirls have posted a 176-84 overall record, including a remarkable 92-12 home record in conference games for a .885 winning percentage. McNeese has gone unbeaten at home in league games the last two seasons and will carry a 31-game winning streak into the 2026 season.
Landreneau has coached two All-Americans (Erika Piancastelli, Justyce McClain), 55 All-Southland Conference selections, Four SLC Hitters and Players of the Year, four SLC Pitchers of the Year, two SLC Newcomers of the Year, two SLC Freshmen of the Year, three SLC Tournament MVPs, seven All-Region picks, and 12 All-Louisiana selections.
Erika Piancastelli, who played for the Italian National Team in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (postponed until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic), was a four time SLC Player and Hitter of the Year, the SLC softball Student-Athlete of the Year (2017, 2018), and named to the CoSIDA District 6 All-Academic Team twice (2017, 2018). She was named Louisiana’s Hitter of the Year in 2018.