Reasons for 2023 Football Optimism

[Bandwagon King]

Great to hear, RedTails! Love to have you as a season ticket holder!

I’m very excited for next season. I think we are going to make some serious noise in the SBC.

To everyone pouring on Dez, let the man have a normal offseason. What he had to navigate in the Spring of ‘22 was very difficult. 6-7 is not a successful season and I expect better, but give the man some time. If the team continues mediocrity and giving away games late in ‘23, by all means voice your displeasure.

And what will a normal off season be comprised of? All this talk about Napier gutting the team is a joke. Guys simply moved on because they graduated, or had better opportunities else where. This season besides whatever coaches are replaced & whoever transfers out, the team loses Landry & Nelson on the D. Line to go along with Moncrief Hill-Greene & Quibodaux not to mention Trahan & one of the best return men in the country in Garror. Top that off with Lumpkin & Jefferson & those are huge impact players. They all have to be replaced. I'd like to know how this team is going to improve so much when there's even more confusion now at QB & the very best of your defense won't be there to keep you in games when your offense is stumbling around like a blind man. The fact is Mike was hand picked for this job for the specific purpose of maintaining continuity & continuing a certain level of play on the field. It reminds me of another Mike who was hired about 35 years ago in a similar situation. about 50 miles down the road. That didn't pan out for those guys either.

[Big Buds]

And what will a normal off season be comprised of? All this talk about Napier gutting the team is a joke. Guys simply moved on because they graduated, or had better opportunities else where. This season besides whatever coaches are replaced & whoever transfers out, the team loses Landry & Nelson on the D. Line to go along with Moncrief Hill-Greene & Quibodaux not to mention Trahan & one of the best return men in the country in Garror. Top that off with Lumpkin & Jefferson & those are huge impact players. They all have to be replaced. I'd like to know how this team is going to improve so much when there's even more confusion now at QB & the very best of your defense won't be there to keep you in games when your offense is stumbling around like a blind man. The fact is Mike was hand picked for this job for the specific purpose of maintaining continuity & continuing a certain level of play on the field. It reminds me of another Mike who was hired about 35 years ago in a similar situation. about 50 miles down the road. That didn't pan out for those guys either.

A normal offseason would consist of the Head Coach not having to patch up holes within his department every other day for the better part of two months because they were leaving him for greener pastures. We lost a TON of playmakers to the portal and that will not happen nearly to that degree this offseason.

To your point about losing playmakers on the defensive side of the ball, it’s expected…they no longer have eligibility. There is nothing Dez can do about it but at least he has hindsight on the matter. He won’t be “blindsided” like last year. Yes, those names you mentioned are serious players but I’m confident we are deep enough at those positions to take the right step forward. I was really impressed with some of the younger players on defense this year. I expect the same in ‘23.

[lafman1]

UNLESS it was because Des was the best hire for the money we had available.


How would the general public know, since the interviewed coaches names weren’t ever released?

[CajunVic]

The interviewed coach’s request for confidentiality that the interview occurred trumps the fan’s need to know . . .

[Turbine]

The interviewed coach’s request for confidentiality that the interview occurred trumps the fan’s need to know . . .

What is this, Hire HIPPA?

It made the administration kick out a knee thinking we can't hire an up and comer, we be better hurry and go internal before our last chance jumps ship.

I happen to think they made the perfect choice by accident.

[fanof71]

"By accident"....UL Athletic Dept motto...

[lafman1]

The interviewed coach’s request for confidentiality that the interview occurred trumps the fan’s need to know . . .

Fair enough. Then release the exact number of interviewed coaches. At least make it “look” like a nationwide search was conducted.

[JMV JustMyView]

UNLESS it was because Des was the best hire for the money we had available.


How would the general public know, since the interviewed coaches names weren’t ever released?

It is none of the public business who applied or was interviewed. Remember the 4500 or so fans at the last home game. I don't see a whole lot of fans caring or needing to know.

[CajunVic]

Quit trying to sound like Vic . . .

[JMV JustMyView]

Fair enough. Then release the exact number of interviewed coaches. At least make it “look” like a nationwide search was conducted.

If the number was 5 or 20 what difference does that make? Asking for a friend of a friend.

[JMV JustMyView]

Without saying any names some of you folks want everything to be an echo chamber.

[lafman1]

If the number was 5 or 20 what difference does that make? Asking for a friend of a friend.

It makes it look like a nationwide search was conducted.