PINEVILLE, La. – A man fully engrained in Louisiana Christian University has been tabbed to lead the Wildcats women's basketball team with the naming of Steve Rachal as the interim women's basketball head coach.
"Coach Steve Rachal represents the kind of leader whose influence extends beyond the basketball court," said Louisiana Christian Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Reni Mason. "His years of coaching shows a commitment to developing young people, building relationships, and investing in something far greater than the game itself. We are grateful that Coach Rachal has decided to be with us at such a critical point in women's basketball history."
Rachal makes the jump to the college women's basketball ranks after becoming a stalwart in the Louisiana and Texas high school girl's basketball and softball scenes, amassing more than 700 career victories on the varsity basketball level. His teams have won three basketball state championships, made the state basketball tournament semifinals 13 times, been inside the top-10 in state basketball rankings 21 times, 10 times being ranked the top team in the state.
His work has been well honored. He's been named the state Coach of the Year four times, a Parish Coach of the Year twice, Baton Rouge Metro Coach of the Year, and a 28-time District Coach of the Year combined between basketball and softball.
As a head varsity coach in the sports of basketball, both boys and girls, and softball, Rachal has won a total of 30 district championships and made the state playoffs 50 times.
"I am thrilled and totally honored to be named the Interim Head Women's Basketball Coach at Louisiana Christian University," said Rachal. "I am excited to get started and begin to build on the tradition of Lady Wildcat Basketball that has been paved before me. I look forward to building a winner here at LCU centered around a culture of hard work, development and a culture for Christ."
Rachal started his coaching career at Acadiana Preparatory School in Opelousas in 2020, coaching basketball, both boys and girls, and softball for three years.
He moved to Baton Rouge in 2003 to become the head basketball - both boys and girls - softball, and track & field coach at Family Christian Academy, leading the Flames for five seasons. Following that stint, he returned to Acadiana Prep in 2008 and led the Eagles for another year.
In 2009, he moved over to Fort Worth, Texas to take over as the head girls basketball and softball coach at Lake County Christian School where he spent the next seven years leading the Eagles. Three of those years, he served as the Small School Executive Committee Member of the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches (TABC).
June 2016, he returned to the bayou, and the state capitol, to retake his role at FCA for another nine years.
In 2025, he went north to Bossier City where he was named the girls basketball head coach as Providence Classical Academy, leading the Knights through the 2025-26 season.
A graduate of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a degree in psychology with minors in English and religion, Rachal is no stranger to Louisiana Christian University as both he and his wife started their higher educational lives at LCU and have since sent three daughters to Pineville to be Wildcats.
"Having attended LCU years ago with my wife Dana, and having three of my four daughters who are recent graduates of LCU (Laken '21, Lexi '24, Lindi '26) our family has always been LCU supporters through and through. I am a true testament of 'once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat' and I am so proud and honored by that. CLAWS UP!!"
Rachel takes over the role immediately, replacing Mark Morefield.
