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Louisiana-Lafayette assistant fired after loss in opener

LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) Louisiana-Lafayette fired defensive coordinator Melvin Smith on Sunday, a day after a season-opening 45-10 loss to Boise State.

Ragin' Cajuns coach Mark Hudspeth said linebackers coach Mike Lucas will be the defensive coordinator for the remainder of the season.

Hudspeth said in a statement that ''we appreciate everything that Melvin has done for us since coming here, and we wish he and his family nothing but the best in the future.'' Hudspeth added that ''making a change is never easy, but we feel this was the necessary thing to do for the success of our program.''

Smith came to Louisiana-Lafayette last year after two seasons as Auburn's cornerbacks coach. He also has been an assistant at Mississippi State, Alabama and Texas A&M.

Louisiana-Lafayette hosts McNeese State on Saturday.

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AP college football website: www.collegefootball.ap.org

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