2025 Vermilion and White Spring Game

Well I apologize for not knowing.

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Originally Posted by RedTails

I think that's the problem. This admin has been relying on "true" fans for far too long. There are about 14k of us. We need new fans, and we can't rely on new fans to have some kind of tingling intuition to know UL athletics has something going on.

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The "true" fans aren't getting any younger and we aren't creating enough new ones. The administration has to create marketing and game day strategies that have people packed into the space within the fences of Cajun Field and spilling out into the other areas. The optics should be Cajun Field is rocking on gameday and it's the place to be. Instead we've fumbled the ball by making tailgating a premium cost event and failing to meet expectations when people enter the stadium. It's past time to either adjust the strategy or be content with 14,000 turning into 13,000 and continuing to decline. Finally, in the world of NIL and increasing need for donations, coaches should be out meeting with the public, kissing babies, whatever it takes to keep engagement high.

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Originally Posted by Million$Mullet

You’re surprised he didn’t do it? I’d be surprised if he did. I like Des but that’s just not who he is. Even at QB club meetings, he goes in, does his preview for the next week and answers a few questions then he leaves. He is a football coach. He is not a promoter. I do wish that he’d take some of that pregame locker room energy we see in the videos and use it to engage and excite the fans directly. I think he’s learned a lot in his 3 years about actual coaching and game management. He could learn a little more about fan engagement. Once again I like him and not knocking him for it but that’s just not who he is.

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You can't change your personality. However, I will say when he is asked a question at the QB Club he answers it honestly without "coach speak". He does that no matter how pointed the question may be. I know this because I usually ask one of those questions at every meeting.

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Originally Posted by Cajunsmike

You can't change your personality. However, I will say when he is asked a question at the QB Club he answers it honestly without "coach speak". He does that no matter how pointed the question may be. I know this because I usually ask one of those questions at every meeting.

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In reference to putting butts in seats, UL cant afford a quiet, "I do my talking on the field" coach. That's not a knock on Dez, just a reality for schools in our position.

We will always sell more tickets with some firebrand, "one of us" coach running into people at bars and events.

Coach Des’ introverted personality was fine as an assistant coach, but a head football coach of a university needs to be extroverted and confident with public speaking. You build confidence by practicing in football, public speaking, and life.

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Originally Posted by jaxmc1023

In reference to putting butts in seats, UL cant afford a quiet, "I do my talking on the field" coach. That's not a knock on Dez, just a reality for schools in our position.

We will always sell more tickets with some firebrand, "one of us" coach running into people at bars and events.

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Des is "one of us" and no you don't want people running into your coach at bars. He is out in the community, he's just not on stage leading cheers.

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Originally Posted by cjr3888

Des is "one of us" and no you don't want people running into your coach at bars. He is out in the community, he's just not on stage leading cheers.

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Des is one of the group of 6k people you can reliably count on to show up for every game.

And I mentioned bars because that's where I saw Hudspeth on many occasions. Whether you agree with him being out there is one thing, but I don't think it's a coincidence that he was pulling 10k+ more fans to football games.

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Originally Posted by jaxmc1023

Des is one of the group of 6k people you can reliably count on to show up for every game.

And I mentioned bars because that's where I saw Hudspeth on many occasions. Whether you agree with him being out there is one thing, but I don't think it's a coincidence that he was pulling 10k+ more fans to football games.

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That was also the resurgence of Cajuns football, the first time really winning consistently. It was fresh and new just like when the Ice Gators started. That new shine began to wear off towards the end of the Hud era.

What G5 coach Is putting butts in the seats with his personality? Any examples? If HUD went 6-6 there wouldn’t have been anyone there.

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Originally Posted by CrazyCajun

What G5 coach Is putting butts in the seats with his personality? Any examples? If HUD went 6-6 there wouldn’t have been anyone there.

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More than Bustle, Desormeaux or Baldwin but your point is valid.

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Originally Posted by Turbine

More than Bustle, Desormeaux or Baldwin but your point is valid.

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And it’s a double edged sword, his personality also got him ran out of here quickly and the fan base turned on him quickly too

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Originally Posted by CrazyCajun

And it’s a double edged sword, his personality also got him ran out of here quickly and the fan base turned on him quickly too

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True, he didn't know when to stop backing his players.

Hud flew to an in-season "ESPN Game Day" interview.

No one can say he didn't put fans in the stands.