FCS loss stings, but it’s not the end

The Warhawks lost to an FCS opponent. It’s no secret. We all saw it. It happened.

Now, it’s time to move on.

ULM is not alone in this unfortunate accomplishment. Five other FBS teams have already paved the way in 2026 by losing to an FCS opponent - Tarleton State over Bowling Green (MAC), The Citadel over Charlotte (American), Idaho State over Utah State (PAC12), Illinois State over Northern Illinois (Mountain West), and Montana State over Nevada (Mountain West).

These games happen.

Just ask any App State fan what their biggest marquee win is. Even ULM’s 2012 win at Arkansas came a week after the nationally ranked Razorbacks needed late-game heroics to survive Western Carolina.

The point is simple: losing to an FCS opponent happens, and when it does, the noise immediately starts about whether the team belongs in the FBS or even Division I.

ULM is no exception to this.

A lot of that noise, however, comes from the outside, with the likes of unaffiliated people from a random west coast state giving their diehard opinion. ULM alumni are included as being on the outside as well with pieces of paper hanging on their walls that helped them establish careers, families, and of course memories. These diplomas are signed by Dr. Vining, Lawson (still refuse to say his full name), Dr. Cofer, Dr. Nick Bruno (begrudgingly) and others—who continue to stand on the outside looking in while judging the current state of affairs at ULM.

There has even been noise from fellow Sun Belt members, including James Madison, suggesting that it would be in the league’s best interest for ULM to drop down. Let’s not forget that the only time the Dukes and Warhawks have met, the game was played in Monroe—with James Madison leaving town licking its wounds on the way back to Harrisonburg, Virginia following a Warhawk victory.

Yes, the loss to Southeastern Louisiana hurts. It hurts even more knowing there were other scheduling options that could have potentially generated revenue for the program and athletics department as a whole, but this is where ULM is right now. The idea was to schedule a game that could potentially serve as a get-right opportunity after two difficult games to open the season.

It didn’t work out that way.

So where do we go from here?

Here’s what needs to happen over the final three-quarters of the season if ULM wants to salvage the season and turn it into something it can build on.

1. Let the Offensive Coordinator be the Offensive Coordinator

This one is probably easier said than done. New offensive coordinator Jesse Montalto is at the helm, but when you go back and watch the 2024 and 2025 film, the 2026 offensive version has all the same fingerprints on it.

If Bryant Vincent is going to be the head coach, then let him be the head coach.

If the offense continues to struggle to move the football, there needs to be someone specifically responsible for the offense.

Vincent is an offensive coordinator by trade, but being the head coach requires more than being the offensive coordinator and play-caller. There is an entire program that needs his attention.

Give the offensive coordinator the offense and let the head coach manage the entire program.

At the very least, it provides clear accountability when the offense is anemic and unable to consistently move the football.

2. The Defense Has to Adjust to Its Personnel

Everyone knows defensive coordinator Troy Reffett is a guru when it comes to the 3-3-5 defense.

And to be fair, the defense has played pretty well.

But schemes have to match personnel.

Right now, the Warhawks may not have all the pieces necessary to consistently run the 3-3-5 the way Reffett wants to run it. It may take another recruiting cycle—or multiple cycles—to bring in the right pieces through the transfer portal and junior college ranks.

So call an audible, figure out what this roster does well and build the defensive scheme around those strengths.

The defense cannot be expected to carry the team every week, but it also has to continue doing its part while the offense finds its identity.

3. Block Out the Noise—and Open the Gates

There has been plenty of discussion surrounding the finances of college athletics, NIL, revenue sharing and the need for additional resources.

All of that is real, but right now, ULM also needs its fans. So open the gates. No ticket required.

Charge for the premium areas, concessions as ways to generate revenue, but if the goal is to get people back into Malone Stadium, erase some of the negativity surrounding the product and rebuild the connection between ULM and the community, then make it as easy as possible for people to walk through those gates.

Let them come watch. Let them reconnect. Let ULM earn back the support of its alumni and the community.

Right now, the relationship needs to be rebuilt.

It Hurts. But Keep Moving. It hurts sitting at 0–3.

It hurts knowing the Warhawks have lost eight straight games.

It hurts hearing the criticism—not only from people on the outside, but from our own alumni and supporters.

But this isn’t the first time an FBS team has lost to an FCS opponent, and it certainly isn’t the first time ULM has done it - We all remember Wofford in 2000.

The answer isn’t to pretend the loss didn’t happen, the answer isn’t to ignore the problems, and it certainly isn’t to pretend everything is fine.

The answer is to fix what can be fixed. Every week is a new week.

As much as it sounds like a coach’s cliché, ULM has to move forward with the goal of going 1–0 this week.

Then do it again the next week. And the next.

The season isn’t where anyone wanted it to be. But there are still games to play.

So block out the noise. Fix the problems. Get the players believing again.

And go 1–0 this week.