Former Football: Matt Desormeaux takes over as new AES football coach

Kevin Foote, The Advertiser, April 16, 2016

 

The Ascension Episcopal Blue Gators wanted as little transition as possible in replacing head football coach Michael Desormeaux, who left his position to become UL’s wide receivers coach last month.

They did just that on Thursday by announcing Desormeaux’s younger brother, Matt Desormeaux, as the new head football coach at Ascension Episcopal.

"We didn’t want someone coming in with a whole new philosophy and whole new system after the success we’ve had the last two seasons," AES athletic director Eric Mouton said. "We knew exactly what we were getting with Matt, and Matt was ready for it."

Matt Desormeaux was an offensive assistant under his older brother for the past three years. He was also the school’s head track coach during that time as well, and had previously been the boys track head coach at Catholic High of New Iberia for two years.

"It was tough to lose him," Matt Desormeaux said of his older brother leaving the program. "He was one heckuva offensive coordinator and one heckuva of head coach. But I’m excited about it. I’m looking forward to it."

At the time, the 28-year-old Matt Desormeaux said he had no timetable for when he might one day become a head football coach at the high school level. But when his older brother jumped at the unexpected opportunity to coach college football at his alma mater, that all changed.

"I was perfectly happy with where I was and so was Mike," said Matt Desormeaux, who also played for the Ragin’ Cajuns after a stellar career at Catholic High. "But when that job came up for him out of the blue, I started thinking about applying. I feel like I’m ready for it."

Mouton said the school’s administration did survey candidates from outside the school, but elected to promote Desormeaux instead.

"It was kind of a shock when Mike left, because we knew he was happy here," Mouton said. "Some opportunities, you just have to jump at when they arise. We knew he had established a winning program, though, and we didn’t want that to change. We know we’ve got the right guy."

Desormeaux said he’ll take over as offensive coordinator as well and the defensive staff will remain intact after last year’s 11-2 season that saw the Blue Gators earn a No. 1 seed in the Division IV bracket and not lose until a 49-42 defeat to St. Mary’s in the state semifinals.

"I think very little will change," Desormeaux said. "We probably won’t have as many empty-type packages as last year, but that was probably going to change anywhere even if he had stayed. The biggest question mark in my mind is the defensive line, where we lost four starters."

The Blue Gators also lost quarterback Jake Arceneaux to UL, as well as power rushing threat Ja’Ceiry Linzer.

"The kids know Matt, so it should be a smooth transition," Mouton said. "It really worked out well for us."