'Born for this': Why Michael Desormeaux succeeds at Louisiana, why he's now a hometown hero
LAFAYETTE – When the preparation was finished, without fail, Bill Desormeaux always stamped the leadup to each game with what now seems like his patented proverb to his players.
“The hay is in the barn," the then Catholic-New Iberia receivers coach would iterate.
Catholic would take that field each Friday night, trusting in the process and carrying unbridled belief they’d succeed. Much of that was due to the work put in.
Another facet was Michael Desormeaux, Bill’s son, at quarterback. To his teammates nearly 20 years ago, Michael was revered as a fearless leader. A protector.
Those who knew him best saw a future in coaching for him. Why were they so confident in where he was heading in life, a path that’s now led him to being Louisiana’s head football coach?
DEPTH CHART PROJECTIONSPredicting what Ragin' Cajuns' two-deep will look ahead of season opener vs. Southeastern Louisiana
COACH O AT UL PRACTICEWhy former LSU coach Ed Orgeron attended Louisiana's football practice
MICHAEL DESORMEAUXUL ready to open next chapter with Desormeaux as head coach
They say, “The hay was already in the barn.”
Family and football
It started with upbringing and genetics.
Those around New Iberia were aware of the Desormeaux name long before Michael helped lead Catholic to three district championships and three straight playoff appearances. His father played quarterback, running back and tight end at LSU in the 70s. His older brother Beau was an athlete. Younger brother Matt starred at Catholic and went on to play with Michael at Louisiana. Their sister, Lili, a star on the softball diamond, is believed to be the best athlete in the family.
Michael utilized his God-given talent -- his teammates coined him the White Michael Vick -- to earn a scholarship from UL, the college 20 miles up U.S. Route 90, a two-lane thoroughfare that hugs the railroad tracks much of the way. Many of Michael's friends thought he’d go onto a bigger school. They knew he was talented enough.
But Michael was set on attending Louisiana and remaining close to his family.
“Family was important for him," Michael’s childhood friend and former Catholic receiver Zeek Zacharie said. "He realized he could still be the person he wanted to be, have a career in football but also be big with family.”
Michael absorbed every trait imaginable from his father. A relentless work ethic – Michael started watching and breaking down film with his dad at 6. Taking care of others and being personable. Humility and moral compass. Never shying away from holding others accountable.
“If I screwed up, he was quick to let me know,” said Tucker Lewis, Michael’s lifelong friend and Catholic teammate. “Growing up at some point, I thought not only is he good, he’s special. It’s where his mind and character meet the right ability. It’s all there. When we were competing, we were going to win with him in there with us.”
Victor's Cafeteria
Victor Huckaby remembers Desormeaux, Lewis and Zacharie coming in early every Friday morning on gamedays.
The trio partook in breakfast at Victor’s Cafeteria, a restaurant Victor’s dad, Vernon, opened in 1969 on Main Street in New Iberia. Victor's was tradition for them following Friday morning mass, and they always ordered the same breakfast.
Apart from the guys coming in every Friday, Huckaby, 70, remembers how the Catholic star players helped the town come alive during football season.
The night before their weekly breakfast, the three would stay the night at Lewis’ house, where they would talk football and watch game film as well as movies and shoot pool.
To Desormeaux, everything had to be done to the letter, his friends said. Whether it was the three continuing to work after almost every football practice or sitting at the same table at Victor’s, the idea was trusting in the preparation.
“He didn’t miss a day,” Lewis, now a small business owner in Odessa, Texas, said. “He never made an excuse and he was always ready.”
“We used to always say, ‘tomorrow, tomorrow’ when we were talking about the game,” said Zacharie, who works for the Fire Service in Fort Worth, Texas. “Those long practices in high school. We’d run the whole route tree. We’d do the right side then the left side.”
'He was born for this'
A few years ago, Zacharie lost his niece Harper in a drowning accident. As his family gathered in mourning at his brother’s home in New Iberia, Desormeaux quickly showed up to offer his condolences and visit while out recruiting for UL.
“He made time to come and visit us during that tough time," Zacharie said. "That comes from the people who raised him and who are around him. It keeps him grounded. You never forget where you come from.”
Home always has been upfront for Desormeaux. He got his start in coaching at Catholic, which Lewis jokingly takes full credit for.
Desormeaux had just wrapped up a stint with the CFL's Calgary Stampeders in 2009, and for the first time, Lewis recalled, Desormeaux felt like he didn’t know what was next for him. Lewis, coaching at Catholic, marched into the principal’s office and told him to hire Desormeaux.
The principal listened. Desormeaux was brought in as the offensive coordinator. After three seasons, Desormeaux was hired as Ascension Episcopal’s head coach, taking over a program coming off a winless 2012 season. Within three seasons, he guided them to 11 wins.
Desormeaux then made the jump to the college ranks, taking a running backs coach position at Louisiana. He coached tight ends from 2017 through 2020 before serving as former coach Billy Napier’s co-offensive coordinator in 2021.
This past December, Desormeaux was selected the Ragin’ Cajuns' coach at just 36 years old, fulfilling a destiny those who know him best believed was coming for decades.
“This is just the beginning for him," Lewis said. "Mike is a fisher of men. He’s going to get you good players and make those guys into men. He was born for this, and I cannot wait to see where he goes.”
As Desormeaux starts his tenure as the Cajuns’ coach, Zacharie knows his best friend will start off on good footing.
“The way you treat people is important, and I know the kids love playing for him," Zacharie said. "There’s no drop-off in way he treats them and loves on them."
'He means so much to this community'
More eyes are now watching Desormeaux.
Despite New Iberia being a split football town -- half LSU, half Ragin' Cajuns -- a prodigal son has made it.
“It’s the first time we’ve ever had a head coach from around here,” Huckaby said. “If anybody can do it, he can.”
Huckaby, who retired from Victor’s Cafeteria during the pandemic but still checks in some mornings, has felt the conversation and conjecture about football dwindle during the past few years.
With Desormeaux leading the Cajuns, the vibe around New Iberia has been reinvigorated, Huckaby said, and New Iberia will be behind Desormeaux.
“There’s more talk about everyone looking forward to Saturday and wishing him well,” Huckaby said. “I’m excited and I know everyone else is excited.
"There’s no doubt he means so much to the community.”
Cory Diaz covers the LSU Tigers and Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his Tigers and Cajuns coverage on Twitter: @ByCoryDiaz. Got questions regarding LSU/UL athletics? Send them to Cory Diaz at bdiaz@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Michael Desormeaux's journey to coaching Louisiana prepped him to win
