University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana UnLimited: A Day In The Life at SBC Media Day
7/31/2023 4:52:00 PM | Football, Louisiana UnLimited
Desormeaux, Ragin' Cajuns meet the press in day-long marathon in Crescent City
The day for Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns head coach Michael Desormeaux and players Neal Johnson and K.C. Ossai began about the same time the first Café au lait and beignets were being served up to the morning crowds in the nearby French Quarter.
During the opening day of the two-day Sun Belt Conference Football Media Days at New Orleans' Sheraton Hotel, the Ragin' Cajuns contingent and their West Division counterparts promoted their respective teams for the upcoming season as they embarked on a day-long gauntlet of interviews with local, state and national media.
Between the trio of Desormeaux, Johnson and Ossai, Louisiana conducted 27 interviews on the day. Between numerous trips to Radio Row, TV interviews, filming promotional material for the SBC and a studio appearance at the SBC Offices located a few blocks away at the Caesars Superdome, the group managed to navigate a grinding schedule just like any normal day at practice.
"You see guys growing in multiple roles," said Desormeaux during the team's afternoon appearance on the main stage. "Guys like K.C. and Neal Johnson that we knew are going to play big roles for us on the field. You get to watch the impact that they have throughout the course of the off-season, and I think those are the things, as a coach, those are meaningful things to get to see, because when you see a team starting to gel, you can kind of feel it and it's because of the leadership on the team."
Desormeaux, entering his second year at the helm of the Ragin' Cajuns program, emphasized on improving the team's uncharacteristic 0-4 mark in one-score games during the 2022 season after going a combined 13-1 in the previous two. Converting on "four-point plays" when entering the opponent's red zone and doing a better job in two-minute defense were points of emphasis during the off-season.
The 2023 edition brings qualities that make the second-year coach proud of the things accomplished, which was capped off by a fifth straight trip to the postseason.
With a young roster that was primarily left intact and brings a lot of experience – something that "is a little bit unique" according to Desormeaux – Louisiana also can boast itself as the lone SBC school to retain all 10 paid assistants from a year ago … a near rarity in today's realm of college football as the Ragin' Cajuns were one of seven schools to accomplish that.
The Ragin' Cajuns went through an incredible strength and conditioning program under Director of Athletic Performance for Football, Connor Neighbors, and had completed their best summer workout program in the eight years Desormeaux has been on the staff.
And as the New Iberia native stood at the podium during the mid-afternoon session, there was a level of comfort that his players have seen on a daily basis.
"It's pretty amazing," Ossai said when asked about Desormeaux's leadership style. "Coach Des is a pretty pure and genuine guy so it's easy to have him as a leader. The way you see him now is the same we see him. He's the same person every time."
Johnson, who spent part of two seasons under Desormeaux's direct tutelage, expounded even farther on his former position coach.
"Having him as my individual coach at first before becoming head coach, he's always been the same person," said Johnson. "He's always been a great person that I can always go to if I ever needed anything, or someone who to there to teach me how to be a better person or better father. He's definitely been somebody who has had a very big impact on my life and I'm glad to have him as my coach."
Louisiana opens the season full season under Desormeaux beginning on Aug. 1 when the team officially reports for fall camp. Many positions on the Ragin' Cajuns two-deep will be up for grabs leading up to the team's Sept. 2 opener against Northwestern State at Cajun Field.
Fans are encouraged to stay engaged with the Ragin' Cajuns by downloading the #GeauxCajuns app. Click here for iOS/Apple platforms and here for Android platforms.
Follow the Ragin' Cajuns on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram (@RaginCajuns) to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Louisiana Athletics.
During the opening day of the two-day Sun Belt Conference Football Media Days at New Orleans' Sheraton Hotel, the Ragin' Cajuns contingent and their West Division counterparts promoted their respective teams for the upcoming season as they embarked on a day-long gauntlet of interviews with local, state and national media.
Between the trio of Desormeaux, Johnson and Ossai, Louisiana conducted 27 interviews on the day. Between numerous trips to Radio Row, TV interviews, filming promotional material for the SBC and a studio appearance at the SBC Offices located a few blocks away at the Caesars Superdome, the group managed to navigate a grinding schedule just like any normal day at practice.
"You see guys growing in multiple roles," said Desormeaux during the team's afternoon appearance on the main stage. "Guys like K.C. and Neal Johnson that we knew are going to play big roles for us on the field. You get to watch the impact that they have throughout the course of the off-season, and I think those are the things, as a coach, those are meaningful things to get to see, because when you see a team starting to gel, you can kind of feel it and it's because of the leadership on the team."
Desormeaux, entering his second year at the helm of the Ragin' Cajuns program, emphasized on improving the team's uncharacteristic 0-4 mark in one-score games during the 2022 season after going a combined 13-1 in the previous two. Converting on "four-point plays" when entering the opponent's red zone and doing a better job in two-minute defense were points of emphasis during the off-season.
The 2023 edition brings qualities that make the second-year coach proud of the things accomplished, which was capped off by a fifth straight trip to the postseason.
With a young roster that was primarily left intact and brings a lot of experience – something that "is a little bit unique" according to Desormeaux – Louisiana also can boast itself as the lone SBC school to retain all 10 paid assistants from a year ago … a near rarity in today's realm of college football as the Ragin' Cajuns were one of seven schools to accomplish that.
The Ragin' Cajuns went through an incredible strength and conditioning program under Director of Athletic Performance for Football, Connor Neighbors, and had completed their best summer workout program in the eight years Desormeaux has been on the staff.
And as the New Iberia native stood at the podium during the mid-afternoon session, there was a level of comfort that his players have seen on a daily basis.
"It's pretty amazing," Ossai said when asked about Desormeaux's leadership style. "Coach Des is a pretty pure and genuine guy so it's easy to have him as a leader. The way you see him now is the same we see him. He's the same person every time."
Johnson, who spent part of two seasons under Desormeaux's direct tutelage, expounded even farther on his former position coach.
"Having him as my individual coach at first before becoming head coach, he's always been the same person," said Johnson. "He's always been a great person that I can always go to if I ever needed anything, or someone who to there to teach me how to be a better person or better father. He's definitely been somebody who has had a very big impact on my life and I'm glad to have him as my coach."
Louisiana opens the season full season under Desormeaux beginning on Aug. 1 when the team officially reports for fall camp. Many positions on the Ragin' Cajuns two-deep will be up for grabs leading up to the team's Sept. 2 opener against Northwestern State at Cajun Field.
Fans are encouraged to stay engaged with the Ragin' Cajuns by downloading the #GeauxCajuns app. Click here for iOS/Apple platforms and here for Android platforms.
Follow the Ragin' Cajuns on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram (@RaginCajuns) to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Louisiana Athletics.
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