Charity Finley, M.S.Ed.

Math & Science Instructional Coach

[Updog Sports Talk @UpdogSportsTalk]

The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs begin a new chapter in the Sun Belt under 5th-year head coach Sonny Cumbie (coming off an 8-5 season + Independence Bowl win).

A proud program with legends (Terry Bradshaw, Willie Roaf, Troy Edwards) and a history of punching above its weight. They begin a new venture reuniting with regional rivals in Ruston.

2026 at a glance:

📌 QB Blake Baker (returning from ACL). Mobile backup Trey Kukuk will get packages

📌 Standout TE Eli Finley (one of the best in the country)

📌 WRs: Jalen Mickens, Dedrick Latulas + portal/JUCO additions (Marcus Calwise, Talyn Shettron, etc.)

📌 LB Kolbe Fields leads defense after injury recovery + secondary pieces (Sam Fongang, Amari Butler, Jordan McRae)

📌 2026 slate: Non-con vs Northwestern State, LSU, Baylor & Army (Independence Bowl rematch). Then Sun Belt West with annual rivalries vs Louisiana, ULM & Southern Miss + Arkansas State, plus ODU & Georgia Southern from the East.

Can Cumbie’s program continue building momentum in a more natural conference home? #LouisianaTech #BarkLouder

[LA Tech Football 🏈 @LATechFB]

Throw it up ‼️🏋️

[Nathan Young @CoachNate_Young]

🚨🚨DUDE!! 🚨🚨 Not only a great player, but a phenomenal leader and human being! #STRAIN 🔴🔵🐶

[Kyle Schass @KyleSchass]

We are 𝔼𝕃𝕀 𝔽𝕀ℕ𝕃𝔼𝕐 days from kickoff.

The Bulldogs tight end led the team in receptions & receiving yards during an All-League Second Team season in 2025.

Finley was also named to the John Mackey Award & Wuerffel Trophy Watch Lists.

[NCAAF Nation @NCAAFNation247]

● TE Spotlight ●

Eli Finley - Louisiana Tech

• Finley is an experienced and seasoned veteran. In his career he's caught 65 passes for 768 yards 2 Touchdowns averaging 11.8 yards per catch.

[Charity Finley, M.S.Ed. @chacha_fin]

Going into senior year is looking good @Eli_finley1! Keep working! Love you, little man!

[Kyle Schass @KyleSchass]

Tech football is selected to finish 4th in the SBC West by @Lindyssportsmag behind Troy, UL-Lafayette, & Arkansas State.

TE Eli Finley is tabbed as a Preseason All-Sun Belt First-Team selection, while Dedrick Latulas is an All-Purpose honoree on the All-Sun Belt Second-Team.

[Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl @IndyBowl]

Gameday Eve...LET'S GO

[Coca-Cola Bowl Season @BowlSeason]

@LATechFB brings it home in the 2025 @IndyBowl 💪

[LA Tech Football 🏈 @LATechFB]

𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐁𝐎𝐖𝐋 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 🏆

#HBTD | #BarkLouder 🐶🏈

[ESPN College Football @ESPNCFB]

Louisiana Tech ends the year with a W 👏

The Bulldogs complete the forth quarter comeback to become the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl champions 🏆

[ESPN College Football @ESPNCFB]

Look at how proud Louisiana Tech head coach Sonny Cumbie is of his team 🥹

[LA Tech Football 🏈 @LATechFB]

𝙎𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝘿𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙮 ⏳

See you in Shreveport this time next week 🇺🇸🎳

🎟️: https://t.co/siiGoQCWk2

[Coca-Cola Bowl Season @BowlSeason]

BOWL SEASON IS HERE 🔔 🏈 @CoastalFootball will face @LATechFB in the @IndyBowl !

#BowlSeason #CFB #CollegeFootball

[LA Tech Football 🏈 @LATechFB]

𝐒𝐞𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 🇺🇸🎳

The Bulldogs will face Coastal Carolina in the Independence Bowl on Tuesday, Dec. 30, at 1 p.m.

🗞️ https://t.co/mSc1M8TY5e

#BarkLouder | #HBTD 🐶

[Charity Finley, M.S.Ed. @chacha_fin]

Once a Dawg…#EverLoyalBe @Eli_finley1

[eli finley @Eli_finley1]

Break The Mold

[Charity Finley, M.S.Ed. @chacha_fin]

So proud of all of your hard work! @Eli_finley1

[LA Tech Football 🏈 @LATechFB]

Second Team All-Conference USA Tight End

🏈 Eli Finley

[LA Tech Football 🏈 @LATechFB]

Hitting the road for the regular season finale
https://t.co/H91Q8mB6Ye

[Jim Henderson @DrJBHenderson]

I. Love. These. Dogs. They don’t know the meaning of the word “quit,” but they know “team,” “resilience,” and “fight.” 💙❤️🐶

[Conference USA @ConferenceUSA]

Bowl Bound Bulldogs 🐶

#NoLimitsOnUs | @LATechFB

[Coca-Cola Bowl Season @BowlSeason]

GO BULLDOGS! 6️⃣ wins and @latechfb is officially #BowlBound!