Men’s basketball coach Keith Richard has named Lonnie Cooper as an assistant basketball coach, where he will work with ULM’s guards.

He replaced Brandon Roberts, who left coaching to enter the business world. This will be Cooper’s first year as a college coach.

“I think he’ll bring the same strong work ethic that he had as a player to his new career as a college coach,” Richard said. “I am excited about him joining our staff and becoming a Warhawk.”

Cooper, a Tallulah. native, was a four-year starter at Louisiana Tech, playing his senior year for Richard. He was an All-Sun Belt performer at guard and led the nation in free-throw percentage as a senior, shooting .921 from the line.

Following his collegiate career, Cooper played professionally for 11 years in Europe and for the Des Moines Dragons of the International Basketball Association.

The hiring is pending final approval from the University of Louisana System Board of Supervisors.