Nacogdoches, TX -- Stephen F. Austin has named Robert McFarland as its new head football coach.

McFarland was an assistant at Stephen F. Austin from 1991 through 1999, coaching the offensive line. He had spent the past season as the offensive line coach at East Carolina and the four years prior as offensive line coach and offensive coordinator at Central Florida.

"I believe coach McFarland possesses all the qualities we are looking for in a new head coach and will do an outstanding job in leading the Lumberjack football program to greater heights," said athletic director Steve McCarty.

"Robert has close ties to SFA and his ties to Texas high school football have remained strong."

Stephen F. Austin led the Southland Conference in rushing four times when McFarland was an assistant and the Lumberjacks reached the semifinals of the I-AA playoffs in 1995.

This past season, Stephen F. Austin finished 6-5 in the last year under head coach Mike Santiago, who concluded a six-year stay with a record of 39-27.