Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, half-and-half, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
Add the bread cubes to the egg mixture, and gently stir until the bread is well coated. Allow it to soak for about 10 minutes.
In a separate small bowl, combine the chopped pecans, brown sugar, melted butter, and maple syrup. Mix until the pecans are well coated.
Transfer the soaked bread mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the pecan topping over the bread mixture.
Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the casserole is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Remove from the oven and let it cool for about 5-10 minutes before serving.
For a make-ahead option, prepare the casserole the night before, cover it with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. Bake it in the morning, adding an extra 10-15 minutes to the cooking time.