University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Men's Basketball
Hardin, Neil
Neil Hardin
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Email:
- nhardin@louisiana.edu
- Phone:
- (337) 262-1550
- Sport Administration:
- @CoachNHardin
Neil Hardin has been by Bob Marlin’s side throughout his coaching career, including a successful 12-season run at Sam Houston State. That relationship has continued as Hardin begins his 14th season as an assistant coach on Marlin’s staff with the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns.
Hardin, a Pensacola, Fla., native, began working with Marlin at Pensacola Junior College in 1992 before making stops at Alabama (1996-98) and SHSU (1998-2010).
Like Marlin, Hardin spent 12 seasons at Sam Houston State and helped the Bearkats to 225 victories – the most in the Southland Conference and the second-highest mark by a Division I school in the state of Texas. The Bearkats were nearly unbeatable on their home floor at Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum, winning 135 games (85.9 percent), including a perfect 15-0 record in 2002-03 that began a stretch of eight consecutive years with 10 or more wins at home.
He played an instrumental role in leading the Bearkats to three Southland Conference regular season titles, two NCAA tournament appearances (2003 and 2010) and a Preseason National Invitational Tournament in 2005. In the final six seasons (2004-10) under the Marlin-Hardin tandem, the Bearkats finished no lower than third in the league standings.
Hardin was influential in the development of 32 All-Southland Conference performers, two league Player’s of the Year and honorable mention All-Americans (Donald Cole in 2003; Joe Thompson in 2005), two SLC Newcomer of the Year selections, one SLC Freshman of the Year, and 25 academic all-conference selections.
Sam Houston earned a solid reputation among mid-major schools as the Bearkats defeated top teams such as Auburn (SEC), Texas Tech, Missouri, Nebraska, and Baylor (Big 12), New Mexico State (WAC), Houston and Central Florida (Conference USA), Idaho State and Montana State (Big Sky), Chattanooga (Southern), and Bradley (Missouri Valley).
The Bearkats posted six 20-plus victory seasons and double-digit wins 12 years in a row. From a five-year span between 2005-10, SHSU was one of only 52 teams in NCAA Division I men’s basketball to post 20-victory seasons four times.
Hardin first worked with Marlin - and began his coaching career - from 1992-96 at Pensacola Junior College. The Pirates won the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) National Championship in 1992-93, his first season on Marlin’s staff.
Following the 1995-96 season, Hardin followed Marlin to Alabama where he worked as a graduate assistant on David Hobbs’ staff.
Hardin helped monitor the academic progress of Crimson Tide student athletes in each sport. He primarily worked with the men’s basketball and baseball programs. He also assisted with the daily Crimson Tide men’s basketball practices.
Hardin and his wife, Melissa, have two daughters, Alexis and Natalie, and a son, Collin.
Hardin, a Pensacola, Fla., native, began working with Marlin at Pensacola Junior College in 1992 before making stops at Alabama (1996-98) and SHSU (1998-2010).
Like Marlin, Hardin spent 12 seasons at Sam Houston State and helped the Bearkats to 225 victories – the most in the Southland Conference and the second-highest mark by a Division I school in the state of Texas. The Bearkats were nearly unbeatable on their home floor at Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum, winning 135 games (85.9 percent), including a perfect 15-0 record in 2002-03 that began a stretch of eight consecutive years with 10 or more wins at home.
He played an instrumental role in leading the Bearkats to three Southland Conference regular season titles, two NCAA tournament appearances (2003 and 2010) and a Preseason National Invitational Tournament in 2005. In the final six seasons (2004-10) under the Marlin-Hardin tandem, the Bearkats finished no lower than third in the league standings.
Hardin was influential in the development of 32 All-Southland Conference performers, two league Player’s of the Year and honorable mention All-Americans (Donald Cole in 2003; Joe Thompson in 2005), two SLC Newcomer of the Year selections, one SLC Freshman of the Year, and 25 academic all-conference selections.
Sam Houston earned a solid reputation among mid-major schools as the Bearkats defeated top teams such as Auburn (SEC), Texas Tech, Missouri, Nebraska, and Baylor (Big 12), New Mexico State (WAC), Houston and Central Florida (Conference USA), Idaho State and Montana State (Big Sky), Chattanooga (Southern), and Bradley (Missouri Valley).
The Bearkats posted six 20-plus victory seasons and double-digit wins 12 years in a row. From a five-year span between 2005-10, SHSU was one of only 52 teams in NCAA Division I men’s basketball to post 20-victory seasons four times.
Hardin first worked with Marlin - and began his coaching career - from 1992-96 at Pensacola Junior College. The Pirates won the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) National Championship in 1992-93, his first season on Marlin’s staff.
Following the 1995-96 season, Hardin followed Marlin to Alabama where he worked as a graduate assistant on David Hobbs’ staff.
Hardin helped monitor the academic progress of Crimson Tide student athletes in each sport. He primarily worked with the men’s basketball and baseball programs. He also assisted with the daily Crimson Tide men’s basketball practices.
Hardin and his wife, Melissa, have two daughters, Alexis and Natalie, and a son, Collin.
Quannas White Media Availability (May 4, 2025)
Monday, May 05
Quannas White Introductory Press Conference
Sunday, March 16
Derrick Zimmerman Media Availability (Feb 24, 2025)
Monday, February 24
Derrick Zimmerman Media Availability (Feb 17, 2025)
Monday, February 17
