Louisiana: a football coaching history

Big movers show how many stature points they built or lost against what they inherited; steadier tenures show the tier they reached instead. A small blue arrow marks a real System Shift at that changeover — how hard the offense’s run/pass identity flipped.

2021–now

Michael Desormeaux Steady ◆ COY

Michael Desormeaux slid Louisiana from National Program III to Regional Program I in 5 seasons.

No outlier style signal this stint

−1.9 pts over 5 seasons · top 43% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Ted Roof’s Duke run (2003–2007)

2nd-best Louisiana tenure of 8 by the numbers.

Followed Billy Napier (2018–2021).

System Shift, on arrival

Season	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025	2026
Record & result
Record	1-0	6-7	6-7	10-4	6-7	5-3
Postseason	W bowl	L bowl	L bowl	L bowl	L bowl	—
Recruiting rank	—	#109	#89	#117	#80	#91
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	—	49.1	43.9	46.3	39.9	38.0
Coordinators
OC	—	Tim Leger	Tim Leger	Tim Leger	Tim Leger	Tim Leger
DC	—	LaMar Morgan	LaMar Morgan	Jim Salgado	Jim Salgado	Jim Salgado
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	—	33	58	79	25	53
Defense	—	35	38	23	33	94
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	—	46.1	38.2	40.5	32.7	33.3
Red-zone pass%	—	46.7	35.1	39.8	33.0	25.0
4th-down go%opp. territory	—	44.2	35.9	31.1	23.5	45.0

Recruiter or developer?

Performs about as expected for his recruiting talent on offense and underperforms his recruiting talent on defense.

Offense vs. talent

+4.4 pts

#90 of 208 · middle half

Defense vs. talent

-12.8 pts

#161 of 208 · bottom quarter

Recruiting talent is team-wide (no offense/defense split exists in the source data) -- both sides are scored against the same talent input, only the outcome is side-specific.

Roster construction · portal era

Barely touches the portal — recruits and develops his own.

Portal arrivals

3.0★ avg rating

Portal departures

left via the portal

Net portal flow

-27

#173 of 187 FBS stints

Who they bring in

Brings in bigger-than-position-typical players than most.

A typical class-year mix of incoming transfers.

Avg. size (raw)

6′3″, 246 lbs

across 16 of 20 arrivals — unadjusted for position mix

Size vs. position-typical

+6.1 lbs

#64 of 255 · top quarter

Avg. class year

#134 of 255 · middle half

Top states: LA (7), TX (2), GA (1), AZ (1), MS (1)

Who won the portal our read

Talent added

50.5

position-weighted

Talent lost

57.5

position-weighted

Net

-7.0

arrivals minus departures

Best addition: Walker Howard (QB) from Ole Miss

Biggest loss: Zeon Chriss (QB) to Houston

Position-value-weighted (QB/CB weighted highest, depth-decayed within each position) — the same scoring engine as the Portal Heat feed, not a separate grade.

Does the system survive a coordinator change?

DC: LaMar Morgan → Jim Salgado · 2024The system held

2-season window either side.

Roster size, by position

Skill positions · usage-weighted (real participation)

Quarterback

210 lbs

6′1″ avg · #472 of 767 · middle half

Running back

216 lbs

5′10″ avg · #111 of 791 · top quarter

Wide receiver

194 lbs

6′2″ avg · #337 of 791 · middle half

Tight end

250 lbs

6′4″ avg · #197 of 731 · middle half

Trench & secondary · recruited roster, not confirmed starters

Interior line

315 lbs

6′5″ avg · #150 of 779 · top quarter

D-line

286 lbs

6′2″ avg · #332 of 753 · middle half

Linebacker

228 lbs

6′2″ avg · #399 of 772 · middle half

Cornerback

184 lbs

5′11″ avg · #660 of 771 · bottom quarter

Safety

201 lbs

6′1″ avg · #79 of 346 · top quarter

Offensive-line size is one undifferentiated bucket — the source data almost never distinguishes tackle from guard from center, so we can't split them out.

Where the roster comes from, by position

Grows Linebacker from high school

80%

#170 of 225 stints

Grows Running back from high school

86%

#187 of 208 stints

Postseason detail2021: Beat Marshall 36-21 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl2022: Lost to Houston 16-23 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl2023: Lost to Jacksonville State 31-34 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl2024: Lost to TCU 3-34 Isleta New Mexico Bowl2025: Lost to Delaware 13-20 68 Ventures Bowl

3 NFL Draft picks: Andre Jones (2023), Nathan Thomas (2024), Jaden Dugger (2026)

Coach of the Year: Sun Belt Coach of the Year (2024)

2 player-seasons honored (All-America / national award): Kenneth Almendares (2024), Dalen Cambre (2024)

AI Narratives — “Louisiana — stat check”.

−1.9

34-28

2018–2021

Billy Napier Builder≈ ◆ COY

Billy Napier raised Louisiana from Regional Program III to National Program III.

2019 offense ranked in the 95th percentile nationally — elite

+12.8 pts over 4 seasons · top 3% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Brian Kelly’s Cincinnati run (2006–2009)

1st-best Louisiana tenure of 8 by the numbers.

Followed Mark Hudspeth (2011–2017) · succeeded by Michael Desormeaux (2021–now).

System Shift, on arrival

System Shift, on departure

Season	2018	2019	2020	2021
Record & result
Record	7-7	11-3	10-1	12-1
Postseason	L bowl	W bowl	W bowl	—
Recruiting rank	#105	#76	#79	#79
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	38.6	41.8	41.8	41.8
Coordinators
OC	Rob Sale	Rob Sale	Rob Sale	Michael Desormeaux / Tim Leger
DC	Ron Roberts	Ron Roberts	Patrick Toney	Patrick Toney
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	83	95	83	57
Defense	10	61	81	74
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	26.6	39.7	41.2	39.7
Red-zone pass%	32.7	35.4	33.6	34.9
4th-down go%opp. territory	24.2	40.0	46.9	66.7

Recruiter or developer?

Outperforms his recruiting talent, on both sides of the ball.

Offense vs. talent

+38.1 pts

#7 of 208 · top quarter

Defense vs. talent

+14.2 pts

#51 of 208 · top quarter

Recruiting talent is team-wide (no offense/defense split exists in the source data) -- both sides are scored against the same talent input, only the outcome is side-specific.

Roster construction · portal era

A typical amount of portal roster-building.

Portal arrivals

2.9★ avg rating

Portal departures

left via the portal

Net portal flow

#135 of 187 FBS stints

Who they bring in

Brings in bigger-than-position-typical players than most.

Recruits older, more experienced transfers than most.

Avg. size (raw)

6′3″, 230 lbs

across 7 of 9 arrivals — unadjusted for position mix

Size vs. position-typical

+13.5 lbs

#1 of 255 · top quarter

Avg. class year

#1 of 255 · top quarter

Top states: LA (3), CA (1), TX (1), AL (1), OK (1)

Who won the portal our read

Talent added

29.8

position-weighted

Talent lost

27.3

position-weighted

Net

+2.5

arrivals minus departures

Best addition: Lance LeGendre (QB) from Maryland

Biggest loss: Clifton McDowell (QB) to the portal

Position-value-weighted (QB/CB weighted highest, depth-decayed within each position) — the same scoring engine as the Portal Heat feed, not a separate grade.

Roster size, by position

Skill positions · usage-weighted (real participation)

Quarterback

186 lbs

5′10″ avg · #767 of 767 · bottom quarter

Running back

210 lbs

5′10″ avg · #269 of 791 · middle half

Wide receiver

195 lbs

6′1″ avg · #286 of 791 · middle half

Tight end

249 lbs

6′4″ avg · #236 of 731 · middle half

Trench & secondary · recruited roster, not confirmed starters

Interior line

325 lbs

6′4″ avg · #11 of 779 · top quarter

D-line

286 lbs

6′2″ avg · #339 of 753 · middle half

Linebacker

232 lbs

6′2″ avg · #220 of 772 · middle half

Cornerback

189 lbs

5′11″ avg · #459 of 771 · middle half

Safety

195 lbs

6′0″ avg · #225 of 346 · middle half

Offensive-line size is one undifferentiated bucket — the source data almost never distinguishes tackle from guard from center, so we can't split them out.

Where the roster comes from, by position

Grows Tight end from high school

100%

#164 of 188 stints

Grows Running back from high school

86%

#187 of 208 stints

Postseason detail2018: Lost to Tulane 24-41 Autonation Cure Bowl2019: Beat Miami (OH) 27-17 Lendingtree Bowl2020: Beat UTSA 31-24 SERVPRO First Responder Bowl

6 NFL Draft picks: Robert Hunt (2020), Kevin Dotson (2020), Raymond Calais (2020), Elijah Mitchell (2021), Max Mitchell (2022), Percy Butler (2022)

Coach of the Year: Sun Belt Coach of the Year (2021)

1 player-season honored (All-America / national award): Chris Smith (2020)

+12.8

40-12

2011–2017

Mark Hudspeth Steady≈

Mark Hudspeth moved the Ragin' Cajuns from Regional Program V to Regional Program III in 7 seasons.

2017 defense ranked in the 3th percentile nationally — historically bad

+11.1 pts over 7 seasons · top 14% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Jim Mora’s UCLA run (2012–2017)

6th-best Louisiana tenure of 8 by the numbers.

Followed Rickey Bustle (2002–2010) · succeeded by Billy Napier (2018–2021).

System Shift, on departure

System Shift, on arrival

Season	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017
Record & result
Record	9-4	9-4	9-4	9-4	4-8	6-7	5-7
Postseason	W bowl	W bowl	W bowl	W bowl	—	L bowl	—
Recruiting rank	#84	#107	#80	#106	#78	#106	#121
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	48.9	45.0	36.1	40.3	46.1	36.9	45.4
Coordinators
OC	—	—	—	Jay Johnson	Jay Johnson	Jorge Munoz	Rob Sale
DC	—	—	—	James Willis	Charlie Harbison / Melvin Smith	Charlie Harbison	Charlie Harbison
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	73	95	61	76	44	18	56
Defense	66	29	44	55	21	82	3
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	47.1	36.0	29.1	38.0	42.8	38.5	46.7
Red-zone pass%	38.2	34.2	23.9	28.6	36.7	26.1	40.0
4th-down go%opp. territory	17.1	29.6	27.3	24.4	30.8	34.7	32.4

Recruiter or developer?

Performs about as expected for his recruiting talent, on both sides of the ball.

Offense vs. talent

-3.5 pts

#125 of 208 · middle half

Defense vs. talent

-8.0 pts

#138 of 208 · middle half

Recruiting talent is team-wide (no offense/defense split exists in the source data) -- both sides are scored against the same talent input, only the outcome is side-specific.

Does the system survive a coordinator change?

OC: Jay Johnson → Jorge Munoz · 2016

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

1st-down pass rate: 42.8% → 38.5% (-4.3 pts)

Confound, shown not hidden: only 60% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.

OC: Jorge Munoz → Rob Sale · 2017

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

1st-down pass rate: 38.5% → 46.7% (+8.2 pts)

Confound, shown not hidden: only 22% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.

DC: James Willis → Charlie Harbison (co) / Melvin Smith (co) · 2015

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

DC: Charlie Harbison (co) / Melvin Smith (co) → Charlie Harbison · 2016

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

Where the roster comes from, by position

Grows Tight end from high school

100%

#164 of 188 stints

Grows Edge from high school

100%

#191 of 208 stints

Postseason detail2011: Beat San Diego State 32-30 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl2012: Beat East Carolina 43-34 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl2013: Beat Tulane 24-21 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl2014: Beat Nevada 16-3 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl2016: Lost to Southern Miss 21-28 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl

6 NFL Draft picks: Dwight Bentley (2012), Ladarius Green (2012), Christian Ringo (2015), Elijah McGuire (2017), Tracy Walker (2018), Simeon Thomas (2018)

+11.1

51-38

2002–2010

Rickey Bustle Steady

Rickey Bustle held Louisiana at Regional Program V for 9 seasons.

Swung 20.4 points of pass rate — #27 of 449 FBS coaching stints since 2004

+2.4 pts over 9 seasons · bottom 49% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Todd Berry’s UL Monroe run (2010–2015)

7th-best Louisiana tenure of 8 by the numbers.

Followed Jerry Baldwin (1999–2001) · succeeded by Mark Hudspeth (2011–2017).

System Shift, on departure

Season	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010
Record & result
Record	3-9	4-8	4-7	6-5	6-6	3-9	6-6	6-6	3-9
Postseason	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Recruiting rank	—	—	#97	#82	#103	#103	#108	#113	#115
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	—	—	48.5	30.9	36.6	36.5	35.1	46.9	51.3
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	—	—	78	34	53	62	65	50	23
Defense	—	—	36	66	29	58	0	34	44
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	—	—	34.8	33.3	33.8	30.1	28.6	40.1	49.2
Red-zone pass%	—	—	—	46.7	36.4	32.3	24.1	27.7	34.2
4th-down go%opp. territory	—	—	—	—	41.7	33.3	34.5	45.2	41.5

Where the roster comes from, by position

Grows Kicker from high school

100%

#52 of 56 stints

Grows Tight end from high school

100%

#164 of 188 stints

4 NFL Draft picks: Charles Tillman (2003), Ivan Taylor (2003), Ceandris Brown (2005), Hall Davis (2010)

+2.4

41-65

1999–2001

Jerry Baldwin Steady

Jerry Baldwin held the Ragin' Cajuns at Regional Program V for 3 seasons.

−3.6 pts over 3 seasons · bottom 44% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Fitz Hill’s San José State run (2001–2004)

8th-best Louisiana tenure of 8 by the numbers.

Followed Nelson Stokley (1986–1998) · succeeded by Rickey Bustle (2002–2010).

1 NFL Draft pick: Brad Franklin (2002)

−3.6

6-27

1986–1998

Nelson Stokley Steady

Nelson Stokley slid Louisiana from Regional Program III to Regional Program V in 13 seasons.

−3.6 pts over 13 seasons · bottom 12% of 10+-season tenures (202 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Rick Stockstill’s Middle Tennessee run (2006–2023)

5th-best Louisiana tenure of 8 by the numbers.

Followed Sam Robertson (1980–1985) · succeeded by Jerry Baldwin (1999–2001).

7 NFL Draft picks: Chris Gannon (1989), Mark Hall (1989), Brian Mitchell (1990), Todd Scott (1991), Orlando Thomas (1995), Anthony Clement (1998), Brandon Stokley (1999)

−3.6

62-80-1

1980–1985

Sam Robertson Steady

Sam Robertson held Louisiana at Regional Program III for 6 seasons.

−0.9 pts over 6 seasons · bottom 40% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Doug Martin’s New Mexico State run (2013–2021)

4th-best Louisiana tenure of 8 by the numbers.

Followed Augie Tammariello (1974–1979) · succeeded by Nelson Stokley (1986–1998).

1 NFL Draft pick: Charles Bennett (1985)

−0.9

29-34-2

1974–1979

Augie Tammariello Steady

Augie Tammariello moved Louisiana from Regional Program III to Regional Program II in 6 seasons.

+1.3 pts over 6 seasons · bottom 45% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Joe Glenn’s Wyoming run (2003–2008)

3rd-best Louisiana tenure of 8 by the numbers.

Followed Russ Faulkinberry (1973) · succeeded by Sam Robertson (1980–1985).

+1.3

30-35-2

1973

Russ Faulkinberry Short tenure

0-10