McNeese State is closing in on its next head football coach.

Athletic Director Heath Schroyer said Saturday he has narrowed the field considerably over the last few days.

“I have been impressed with the number and quality of candidates who have shown interest in our job,” Schroyer said. “That has been very reassuring to me that McNeese is still a job that quality people are interested in. It shows, that despite what all we have been through, good people still want to be a part of this program and community.”

Schroyer would not say how many candidates remain. Other sources have said the list has been narrowed to two or three.

“We have said before, we must get this right,” Schroyer said. “We have a lot at stake with this hire.”

McNeese, which was 4-7 last season, is looking to replace Frank Wilson, who left on Tuesday after two seasons to take a job as LSU’s associate head coach under new coach Brian Kelly. The Cowboys were 7-11 during Wilson’s tenure.

Wilson was the third McNeese coach since Matt Viator left for Louisiana-Monroe after the Cowboys went 10-1 in 2015. McNeese has not made the playoffs since.

“We really need to find some stability in the program,” Schroyer said. “We need to find somebody who thinks this is the best job for them and wants to be here.”

Schroyer has said he is looking for somebody who has a track record as a winning head coach, though he would not rule out a top coordinator from an upper division.

“The important thing is to find the right fit for our program and the community,” he said. “We are looking for somebody to bring our football program back to the national level it once was and should be at.”

During the last two seasons McNeese was unable to win close games as penalties, kicking problems and poor play on offense in the red zone proved costly.

“Finding the guy who brings an entertaining brand of football is important,” Schroyer said.

There is also the idea of someone who is willing to move up to the Football Bowl Subdivision if the school gets the right offer. Schroyer has said that has been part of the conversations.

McNeese has talked to FBS conferences but has yet to receive an invitation from one. It also considered leaving the Southland Conference for the Western Athletic but ultimately decided to stay put.

Since Wilson’s resignation, two players — receiver Josh Matthews and running back Josh Parker — have entered the NCAA transfer portal. Defensive back Andre Sam from Iowa did so before Wilson’s exit.

Only one player who committed to the Cowboys announced last week that he changed his mind. Two others reaffirmed their commitments, which are not binding, on social media.