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Football: Not done yet – an opportunity Michael Desormeaux just couldn’t pass upKevin Foote • kfoote@theadvertiser.com • December 16, 2010 It’s not part of some master plan to get another chance at professional outdoor football on the NFL or CFL level.
File photo by Brad Kemp/bkemp@theadvertiser.com Former UL quarterback Michael Desormeaux will be the quarterback for the Lafayette Wildcatters in the spring.
It was an opportunity that former Catholic High and UL quarterback Michael Desormeaux just couldn’t pass up. Given the chance to compete again with a football in his hand, while continuing his new profession as a high school coach at the same time, proved to be too tempting for Desormeaux to decline. So after initially being apprehensive when the Lafayette Wildcatters approached him about being their quarterback, the idea tempted Desormeaux more and more. So much so, in fact, that Desormeaux was introduced Wednesday night at the City Club in River Ranch as the new leader of the Wildcatters offensive unit. "When coach (Rick Ingold) contacted me, I didn’t know if it was something I was interested in at first," Desormeaux said. "But the more I thought about it, the more I started thinking that it kind of fit perfectly for me. I could still do my job and get to compete again. "It’s definitely just for fun and to compete again. I don’t see this as a stepping stone to another league or anything like that. It’s just getting to play a little more football." The Wildcatters’ 2011 season in the Southern Indoor Football League is scheduled to begin March 21 at Mobile Bay. The home opener is slated for April 2 against Lake Charles in the Cajundome. The season lasts through June. "Michael (Desor-meaux) is a versatile player," Ingold said. "He has spent time in the NFL and the CFL at different several different positions. He is going to help give us a good threat at quarterback. We look for him to help lead our team to success." Desormeaux finished his prolific career at UL after the 2008 season. The 6-2, 220-pounder rushed for 1,141 yards as a junior and 1,035 yards as a senior. He passed for 1,405 yards with 10 scores and 10 interceptions as a junior and for 1,876 yards with 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions as a senior. After his Cajuns’ career, he tried to hook up with the Jacksonville Jaguars as a safety and then with the Calgary Stampeders as a quarterback. Neither lasted and Desormeaux began his coaching career as an assistant at Catholic High of New Iberia this past season. "It was a great experience," he said. "After years of competing, it (coaching) was very different, but that’s just natural. We had a new (head) coach with new schemes, so it was all different for the kids as well. But to me, that’s part of the attraction to high school football. "It’s not like in college where you can recruit players or in the NFL where you draft the players you want. In high school, you have to make the schemes fit the players you have." In addition to being an assistant football coach, Desormeaux is currently coaching powerlifting, and he plans on still being an assistant softball coach in the spring. Desormeaux said he doesn’t have much firsthand experience with the indoor game, but he’s seen it. "Growing up, my Dad was a football fanatic," he said, "so I’ve definitely seen some arena football games. The SIFL is a lot like that. It’s a very fast game. That’s what makes it fun for the fans." Athletic Network Footnote: Click here to view the AN profile for Michael Desormeaux
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