Following Southern University's 50-31 victory over Louisiana Christian, head coach Marshall Faulk confirmed a shakeup at offensive coordinator. To start the season, Faulk had named Ken Merchant his offensive coordinator, but former Alcorn State head coach Fred McNair has been moved up to offensive play caller.

#Southern head coach Marshall Faulk explains why he moved Fred McNair to offensive playcaller over Ken Merchant.

With McNair calling the plays against Louisiana Christian, Southern scored 50 points and put up 539 yards of total offense.#SWAC @LAFirstNews pic.twitter.com/sVl9wuAcF3

— Brendon Fairbairn (@FairbairnTV) September 20, 2026

In comments obtained by Brendan Fairburn, Faulk explained why he made the move.

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“Fred's been working with the quarterbacks. He's the senior advisor here, and I just, I kinda moved his role up to where I wanted him communicating with the quarterback. He's more of a … Listen, Ken's a New Yorker. He gets fired up, and the chemistry with my quarterback is just not where I want it to be. And so I need, I needed a little Mississippi drawl, a little slower pace- Little southern … when things aren't good to kinda soothe him down, and, and it worked.”

The move mirrors what happened with McNair last season, under head coach Terrence Graves. McNair was promoted to co-offensive coordinator alongside Mark Frederick. McNair also served as interim coach following Graves's dismissal as head coach of the team.

McNair has compiled a 48-33 record across seven seasons as a head coach. His Alcorn State teams peaked in 2018 and 2019, reaching back-to-back Celebration Bowls, though both ended in losses to North Carolina A&T. Along the way, his Braves teams claimed four SWAC East titles. His tenure at Alcorn State wrapped up in 2023, a season in which the Braves went 7-4 overall and 6-2 in conference play, while placing six players on the All-SWAC team, third-most in the league.