Photograph: Butch Dupre, Mike Desormeaux and Mike Ortego (Photograph by Freddie Herpin.)
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
While some college football programs prefer to build with athletes obtained through the transfer portals, Mike Desormeaux prefers to build his Louisiana team primarily through high school recruiting.
Desormeaux explained his method for pursuing program sustainability during a noon Tuesday guest speaking appearance at the Opelousas Rotary Club.
His model for the Ragin’ Cajuns, Desormeaux said, is to recruit from “the inside out,” meaning recruiting high school players from Louisiana and adjoining states and constructing a team which he said can be continuously developed over a period of years.
“If you’re going to turn over your roster every year, who’s going to be there to keep the culture? Desormeaux asked.
Desormeaux said in 2022 – his first year at Louisiana – he and his coaching staff decided to play with the personnel they had recruited rather than seek temporary help from players who might have wanted to transfer to Lafayette from other schools.
It was a gutsy decision Desormeaux admitted, especially since the Cajuns entered last year without much depth on the offensive line and an exodus by several impact players.
“We decided to play with many of our younger guys, the ones that we recruited. We felt that we could trust them,” said Desormeaux.
The Cajuns however won six games last season and received a unprecedented fifth consecutive postseason bowl bid,
The success that Desormeaux and the previous Louisiana coaching staffs have achieved recently also comes with a price.
“We’ve set a high standard here, but realistically that’s what you want. At this point you want to be able to play for a conference championship every year,” said Desormeaux.
Navigating Through The Recruiting Portal
Louisiana, Desormeaux said, is hoping to become more competitive with more affluent programs for attracting players by using the players’ names, image and likeness to achieve financial enhancement.
The decision by NCAA officials to allow athletes to use NIL, Desormeaux said, could be compared to professional sports free agency without applying a salary cap.
“Some players are choosing to leave and chase the money, while some think they should be playing more. Right now I don’t think (the NCAA) has the money or the desire to fix that,” Desormeaux added.
The Cajuns, Desormeaux admitted, are seeking ways to become more competitive in the NIL arena. The process could be compared to having businessmen sponsoring an athlete, said Desormeaux.
What’s Ahead For 2023
Desormeaux said the Cajuns return three quarterbacks who played in 2022, in addition to most of an offensive line which developed more cohesiveness as the season progressed.
Much of June according to Desormeaux, has been consumed with acclimating 28 scholarship players to college football conditioning. Summer conditioning has been helped by spring football practices that have left Desormeaux and his staff encouraged.
Although they had opportunities to move elsewhere, Desormeaux said the Cajuns have retained the Louisiana coaching staff rom last year.
“This month, we have been busy with the scholarship players, walk-ons and preparing for our summer recruiting camp. This is going to allow us to roll into July and then get ready for our fall camp,” said Desormeaux.
Louisiana opens the season at Cajun Field Sept. 2 against Northwestern State.
