Defining Season!

[cajun_lannister]

The word is Des was responsible for recruiting about 60% of the players when napier was here.

Tim leger ran the recruiting department under Napier , keeping him was the most import cog in this hire.

[Big Poppa]

In my view, this will be an extremely critical season for UL football for a number of reasons. Obviously, the coaching change leads the list. Having been given the job, Desormeaux deserves a chance to show what he can do. Like others here, I don't feel this hire was the best decision for our program, but that train has left the station. We'll see how it goes. The greater concern is how the other SBC teams are only getting better. Arkansas State and Coastal just had outstanding recruiting classes. I don't know how long he'll be there, but Butch Jones is turning that program around quickly. Of course, Coastal is always a problem for us, as is App State who continues to recruit well also. Add Marshall and Southern Miss to the equation and the SBC will be one tough conference to win going forward. We've all watched major programs like Florida State, USC, Texas and others struggle to rebuild after only 1 or 2 sub-par seasons, so it can just as easily happen to us. Regarding earlier comments about money and reinvestment in our stadium infrastructure. If I'm not mistaken, we received $3MM from Florida for the Napier buyout and are now saving between $1.25 MM and $1.5MM per year in the head coach's salary. (Napier was $2MM+ and Desormeaux is $775k) Sidenote...I don't want to believe this was a key driver in hiring Desormeaux, but it has crossed my mind. Nonetheless, in year one this means we should have around $4MM available to reinvest, so not sure what the problem is, at least from a financial perspective. I know there are many more moving parts in the budget but there should be money available. Just like most, if not all of you, I'm a huge Cajun fan and only want the best for this program. Even without the coaching change, it was going to be a very challenging next couple of years.
I hope Desormeaux is the right man to lead us through it. Geaux Cajuns!

The only thing that has me concerned is that word from within is that Des isn’t the disciplinarian that Napier was and runs a much loser ship. I just hope that doesn’t come back to bite him.

[CajunT]

The only thing that has me concerned is that word from within is that Des isn’t the disciplinarian that Napier was and runs a much loser ship. I just hope that doesn’t come back to bite him.

Highly doubt that there will be much difference in the disciplinary approach. Now Coach Des may have a slightly different way in which he approaches it, but that's not a concern for me. This isn't Billy Napier's program any longer, so change is inevitable. The results on the field is all that matters at this point, and we will see how he and his staff handle the adversity that comes at times during the season.

[moorecajun]

Joe Paterno is an example of someone looking at retirement and looking the other way.

I would be disappointed in any young coach not driven to seek bigger and better situations.

I agree with the drive for bigger and better, and I fully expect that can happen right here. We just haven't shown the ability to bring in the fan support needed. Yet.

[KajunKrazy]

Tim leger ran the recruiting department under Napier , keeping him was the most import cog in this hire.

Correct he is the recruiting coordinator. By that he keeps the board up dated and keeps people going in the right direction working together. Des was that guy sitting in living rooms talking to momma and the young man. He was Billy's right hand man on the road.

[KajunKrazy]

In my view, this will be an extremely critical season for UL football for a number of reasons. Obviously, the coaching change leads the list. Having been given the job, Desormeaux deserves a chance to show what he can do. Like others here, I don't feel this hire was the best decision for our program, but that train has left the station. We'll see how it goes. The greater concern is how the other SBC teams are only getting better. Arkansas State and Coastal just had outstanding recruiting classes. I don't know how long he'll be there, but Butch Jones is turning that program around quickly. Of course, Coastal is always a problem for us, as is App State who continues to recruit well also. Add Marshall and Southern Miss to the equation and the SBC will be one tough conference to win going forward. We've all watched major programs like Florida State, USC, Texas and others struggle to rebuild after only 1 or 2 sub-par seasons, so it can just as easily happen to us. Regarding earlier comments about money and reinvestment in our stadium infrastructure. If I'm not mistaken, we received $3MM from Florida for the Napier buyout and are now saving between $1.25 MM and $1.5MM per year in the head coach's salary. (Napier was $2MM+ and Desormeaux is $775k) Sidenote...I don't want to believe this was a key driver in hiring Desormeaux, but it has crossed my mind. Nonetheless, in year one this means we should have around $4MM available to reinvest, so not sure what the problem is, at least from a financial perspective. I know there are many more moving parts in the budget but there should be money available. Just like most, if not all of you, I'm a huge Cajun fan and only want the best for this program. Even without the coaching change, it was going to be a very challenging next couple of years.
I hope Desormeaux is the right man to lead us through it. Geaux Cajuns!

I had reservations when the hire was first made. But everything mike has done since hired has been A+ in my book. Recruiting appears to have not missed a beat. Now lets see how his off season and fall camp preparation brings the team into the season. Personally and this is just a hunch, I think in game management and play calling will improve.

[ragin50]

The only thing that has me concerned is that word from within is that Des isn’t the disciplinarian that Napier was and runs a much loser ship. I just hope that doesn’t come back to bite him.

I hope you meant "looser".

[moorecajun]

Correct he is the recruiting coordinator. By that he keeps the board up dated and keeps people going in the right direction working together. Des was that guy sitting in living rooms talking to momma and the young man. He was Billy's right hand man on the road.

Right on both counts!

[JMV JustMyView]

I had reservations when the hire was first made. But everything mike has done since hired has been A+ in my book. Recruiting appears to have not missed a beat. Now lets see how his off season and fall camp preparation brings the team into the season. Personally and this is just a hunch, I think in game management and play calling will improve.

Napier was to predictable based off a limited qb. Mike should have things opening up.

[Big Poppa]

Napier was to predictable based off a limited qb. Mike should have things opening up.

Right. But also keep in mind in four years napier never started a QB that he recruited. Should we read anything into that? Does that mean he didn’t recruit a better QB than the last guy?

[LouisianaB]

I’ve always understood Leger is known as one of the best Louisiana recruiters. Not sure where I heard that or if true. I’m sure T could expound

[fanof71]

Right. But also keep in mind in four years napier never started a QB that he recruited. Should we read anything into that? Does that mean he didn’t recruit a better QB than the last guy?

Some of you RPCA guys are just unbelievable....