What to Expect from the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks Football Team This Upcoming Season

As we look ahead to the upcoming college football season, my focus, as someone who has followed the Sun Belt Conference for over a decade, inevitably turns to the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks. There’s a certain gritty charm to this program, a resilience that’s hard not to admire, even when the wins don’t always pile up. This year feels different, though. There’s a tangible buzz, a sense that Head Coach Terry Bowden and his staff are building something that could finally turn potential into consistent performance. I expect this season to be a defining one, not necessarily in terms of a conference championship run—let’s be realistic—but as a crucial step in establishing a new, more competitive identity. The goal, in my view, should be to build a foundation of momentum, something akin to what we see in other sports when a team strings together wins early to set a confident tone.

I was recently analyzing a piece of trivia from the Philippine Basketball Association, where a team was on the verge of tying a franchise record for a 7-0 start to a conference. That concept—equaling a historic franchise mark—stuck with me. For ULM football, their historical benchmarks are different, often rooted in monumental upsets or single brilliant seasons. The challenge and the opportunity for this year’s Warhawks isn’t about matching an undefeated start; it’s about consistently exceeding the lower-bar expectations that have sometimes plagued the program. Imagine, for a moment, if this squad could put together a 4-1 or even a 3-2 start to their season. In the context of Monroe, that would be seismic. It would build belief, energize the fanbase in a way we haven’t seen in years, and prove that the culture change the coaches talk about is real. A strong start is the ultimate catalyst for overachieving, and I believe the non-conference slate, while challenging, presents a real chance to steal a game or two and build that precious early confidence.

The heart of my optimism lies in the offensive side of the ball. The return of quarterback Hunter Herring provides a stability they’ve often lacked. He’s not a flashy, NFL-first-round talent, and that’s okay. What he offers is a veteran’s understanding of the system, a degree of poise, and the ability to manage the game. He’ll be working behind an offensive line that returns three starters, which is a bigger deal than casual fans might think. Consistency in the trenches is everything in the Sun Belt. They’ll need to improve a rushing attack that averaged a paltry 98 yards per game last season. I’m looking directly at running back Isaiah Woullard to be the workhorse. If that line can gel early and create lanes, this offense transforms from predictable to multifaceted. Frankly, they don’t need to be explosive every down; they need to be efficient, sustain drives, and keep their defense—which will be on a journey of its own—off the field.

Ah, the defense. This is where my analyst hat goes on, and my concerns become more pronounced. The Warhawks’ defense was, to put it bluntly, porous last year, surrendering over 36 points per game. You simply cannot win consistently with those numbers. The departure of several key players in the secondary means there will be new faces in critical roles. Defensive Coordinator Vic Koenning has his work cut out for him. The success of this unit, in my opinion, will hinge on the defensive line generating pressure without constant blitzing. Players like defensive end Kenard Snyder need to have breakout seasons. If the front four can be disruptive, it masks a lot of deficiencies in the back end. It’s a big “if,” but I’ve seen enough spring practice reports to think the scheme adjustments are in the right direction. They’ll likely have some growing pains, perhaps a game where they get torched, but the trajectory should be upward as the season progresses.

When I map out the schedule, I see a path to genuine improvement. A realistic, yet hopeful, target for this team is a 6-6 finish and bowl eligibility. That would be a massive success. It requires winning the games they should win—think Arkansas State at home—and pulling off an upset or two, perhaps against a Sun Belt front-runner like Troy or South Alabama at Malone Stadium. The home-field advantage in Monroe can be a real factor when the team gives the fans something to cheer about. I’m particularly intrigued by the early road test at Texas A&M. While a win is a tall order, a competitive showing there would do wonders for the team’s self-perception. It’s about proving to themselves they belong on the same field.

So, what should you truly expect from the 2024 Louisiana Monroe Warhawks? Don’t expect a conference title. Do expect a tougher, more disciplined, and more resilient football team. Expect an offense that controls the clock better and a defense that, while not elite, will make you earn your points. I expect them to be a nuisance for every team on their schedule, the kind of opponent you can’t overlook. Most importantly, I expect this season to lay the groundwork. Just as that PBA team aimed to tie a historic 7-0 start, ULM’s aim should be to build a new standard—a standard of consistent competitiveness. If they can string together a few wins, protect their home turf, and finish with a winning record in conference play, say 5-3, this season will be remembered as the turning point. I’m betting on Coach Bowden’s experience and the senior leadership to guide them there. It won’t always be pretty, but for Warhawk fans, it should finally feel like progress.