No one saw this coming. No signs. Just a sudden announcement that one of the most beloved figures in the Louisiana Baseball program is stepping away. For fans, it’s not just a surprise — it’s a gut punch.

We just lost a true Cajun. A homegrown product. A guy who dominated on the mound, who wore the jersey with pride, and who came back not for money or fame — but because he believed in this program. Gunner Leger was Louisiana Baseball. And now he’s gone.

Pitching has always been the heartbeat of this program. Coach Robichaux built his legacy on it. We didn’t just throw the ball — we commanded it with purpose, precision, and pride. Gunner lived that philosophy. He was molded by it. So when someone like him decides to step away, we’re not just losing a coach. We’re losing part of our identity.

Leger wasn’t just another coach. He was the guy. The former ace who helped lead the Cajuns to glory. A symbol of what this program represents: local talent, homegrown grit, and a passion that runs deeper than the game itself. He wore the jersey with pride as a player, and returned to the dugout to give back to the program that made him. Fans believed in him — because he was one of them.

That’s why this resignation stings so much. Gunner wasn’t supposed to leave. He was supposed to be part of the long-term foundation. He was supposed to help bring Louisiana pitching back to dominance. He was supposed to be the bridge between the Robe era and the new chapter under Matt Deggs. Now, that bridge is gone.

Let’s be clear, there’s no animosity between Gunner and the program. We do know that Gunner was offered positions in the Cleveland Guardians and St. Louis Cardinals minor league organizations but he turned them down last fall to return as Louisiana’s pitching coach for the 2025 season. And obviously the burning question is where will he end up going? That’s not a definite answer but there are 3 programs he’s talked with, those being Virginia Tech, Southern Miss and Missouri as well as the two MLB team minor league systems. No matter where he ends up, Cajuns fans will still have a special place in their heart for him and will be interested to see where he ends up.

It’s a unique situation for the Louisiana Baseball program, a situation where you lose a guy that played for your program and then ultimately coached here. Where do you go next as a program? What types of coaches do you try and go after? It will be interesting to see where the Cajuns go next and we will see how things change moving forward.