As I sit down to analyze the prospects for the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks football team this upcoming season, I can’t help but draw a parallel from an unexpected corner of the sports world. The reference point provided, about a team equaling a franchise record start, isn’t from college football, but it underscores a universal truth in athletics: momentum is everything. The idea of a 7-0 start, tying the achievements of a legendary squad, represents a standard of excellence and consistency that any program, including ULM, should aspire to. For the Warhawks, improvement isn’t just about winning a few more games; it’s about building a foundation that can generate that kind of sustained, record-challenging success. From my years observing and writing about college football, I believe the path forward for this team hinges on a few critical, interconnected areas where focused effort can yield significant returns.

Let’s start with the offense, which frankly, has been the Achilles’ heel for longer than anyone in Monroe would care to admit. The quarterback situation needs to find stability, and quickly. Last season’s rotation never settled, leading to a passing attack that ranked near the bottom of the Sun Belt, averaging just under 190 yards per game. In my view, the coaching staff must commit to a starter early in fall camp and build the entire offensive scheme around his strengths, whether that’s a quick-release system or incorporating more designed quarterback runs. Furthermore, the running game, while occasionally promising, lacked the week-to-week punch needed to control the clock. They need to identify a primary back who can handle 18-22 carries a game and consistently find those tough four-yard gains that keep drives alive. I’m a firm believer that offensive line development is non-negotiable; investing extra practice reps and possibly leveraging the transfer portal for one or two seasoned linemen could transform this unit from a liability into a competent group. Without a more reliable and multifaceted offense, the defense will be perpetually stranded on the field, leading to the kind of late-game collapses that have plagued this team.

Speaking of defense, this is where I see a glimmer of real hope. The Warhawks’ defense showed flashes of being genuinely disruptive last season, particularly in creating turnovers. However, consistency was the issue. They might hold a potent offense to 17 points in the first half, only to give up 24 in the second. The key here, in my professional opinion, is not just talent but depth and conditioning. The reference to a 7-0 start is instructive—it’s about finishing strong week after week. ULM’s defensive conditioning program needs to be brutal, arguably the toughest in the conference, to ensure the players are just as fierce in the fourth quarter as they are in the first. I’d also like to see a more aggressive defensive philosophy. Blitz packages from unconventional angles, more press coverage on the outside—these are high-risk, high-reward strategies that can create the game-changing plays ULM desperately needs. Sitting back in a prevent defense has rarely worked for them; it’s time to let the athletes play fast and free, forcing the issue rather than reacting to it.

Now, we can’t talk about improvement without addressing the intangible, the culture. This is where my perspective gets a bit personal. Having followed this program through its ups and downs, I sense a missing ingredient: a signature, program-defining identity. Are they a hard-nosed, defensive team? A high-flying offensive squad? The great teams, like those referenced in the knowledge base that set franchise records, have a clear DNA. Head Coach Terry Bowden has the experience; the task now is to imprint that identity onto every player, from the star quarterback to the third-string linebacker. This means every practice drill, every team meeting, and every strength and conditioning session reinforces a core philosophy. I’d advocate for emphasizing special teams excellence as a starting point—it’s a third of the game and often a difference-maker for programs looking to climb the ladder. Winning the field position battle, blocking a punt, making every extra point—these are effort-based victories that can galvanize a team and steal a couple of wins in a tight season.

In conclusion, the roadmap for the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks is challenging but clear. It requires a bold commitment to offensive identity, a deeper, more conditioned and aggressive defense, and the cultivation of a tangible, relentless team culture. The goal shouldn’t just be to improve on last year’s 4-8 record, though reaching, say, 6-6 and bowl eligibility would be a fantastic step. The real goal should be to build something that can, in time, chase the kind of sustained excellence hinted at in that reference—a start so strong it makes people look back and compare you to the best versions of yourself. It won’t happen overnight, and it will require some tough personnel decisions and maybe a bit of luck. But from where I stand, the potential is there. The Warhawks have the opportunity to stop being a team that others circle on their schedule as a probable win and start becoming one that others fear, a team that builds its own legacy, one strong, consistent performance at a time. This upcoming season is the perfect canvas to start painting that new picture.

LIGHTING, LIGHTING, AND MORE LIGHTING
People are typically drawn to bars solely based on their atmosphere. The best way to knock your next commercial bar design out of the park is using the perfect amount and type of lighting. Use standout light fixtures as their very own statement piece, track lighting for adjustable ambiance, hanging pendant lights over tables, and ambient backlighting to display the alcohol. Bartenders need to serve and customers need to order, so make sure it’s just functional as it is attractive. 

CHOOSING YOUR BARTOP
What may seem so obvious, is often so overlooked in commercial bar design- the material of your actual bartop itself. While we realize stone and marble are as classy and elegant-looking as can be, the reality is that they just aren’t your best option for a durable and long lasting bartop. They crack, have no grip, and break way too many glasses. Opt for a high-quality wood bar instead. Oaks, maples, mahoganies, and ashes are sturdy and provide your customers with a firm grip for their glasses. 

THEME 
In a sea of millions upon millions of bars, how can you make your commercial bar design stand apart from the rest? The answer is to pick a unique, centralized theme and run with it. Whether it’s your next sit-down restaurant bar design, or remodeling the small, locally-favorite gem, you have to find out what your clientele wants. Survey the neighborhood of your establishment and find out what the demographics are there. Maybe a gritty, western bar would be a hit. Or maybe a more modern, sleek design is what’s missing in the area. Whatever theme you decide upon, hit it out of the park with the perfect lighting, wall art, music, and furniture. It’s all in the details. 

THE GUIDE TO YOUR NEXT RESTOBAR 
You’ve got the food, you’ve got the restaurant, you’ve got the customers, now all you need is a beautifully designed bar to top it all off.  Small bar designs for restaurants have a tendency to be a little thrown together and incohesive with the rest of the establishment. Stay on brand- create consistency with tying in the same color scheme, furniture, art, and overall ambiance of the pre-existing restaurant. Make sure the placement of your bar makes sense as well, have it in a place where it’s visible and easy to navigate but not in the way of servers and other guests. If the bar is going to serve food, be sure to consider the location of the kitchen to not obstruct traffic flow. Consider all of these small tips as you work through your next restaurant bar design. 

SPACE CONSTRAINT 
It’s no secret that bars have the reputation of being a little cramped, and in some cases- way too cramped. Consider all of the space constraints while designing your next commercial bar design and we can change that bad rap that bars have been holding for far too long. First and foremost, be sure to measure your bar, barstool, cabinet, and equipment height. Generally, a bar is 42” in height while a stool is 30” in height. Also be sure to allow at least 3’ of space between the bar and the alcohol for the bartender’s functionality and efficiency. Consider multiple register and drink-making stations for bartenders as well. Allowing 2’ between patrons is going to give them enough space to eat and drink, and most importantly, simply be comfortable. All of these considerations are especially helpful if it is a restaurant bar design, where the space is even more valuable.