Michael Anthony Detillier

Michael Anthony Detillier, college and pro football analyst of Mathews, Louisiana, passed away on Sunday, September 6, 2026, at age 65.

Mike is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 45 years, Linda Brown Detillier; his daughter, Stephanie, and her husband, Clyde Verdin, of New Orleans; his daughter, Kimberly, and her husband, Jordan Westmoreland, of Lockport; his greatest joy — his two granddaughters, Norah and Mia Westmoreland; his brother, Milton Detillier, and his wife, Mae, of Bowling Green, Kentucky; his nephews, Paul and Miguel Detillier; his mother-in-law, Alice Baye; and his sister-in-law, Susan Rudolph. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gerald Detillier and Gladys Babin Detillier; his father-in-law, Nolan Baye; and his sister-in-law, Cindy Montero Detillier.

A lifelong resident of Mathews and proud graduate of Central Lafourche High School, Mike worked at Lafourche Parish Water District No. 1 for more than 27 years, while building his career as an acclaimed sports analyst, radio personality, and columnist.

A true self-starter, Mike became a recurring guest on WWL Radio’s SportsTalk in the early 1980s thanks to iconic broadcaster Hap Glaudi. Before long, he was a fixture on the station’s popular Monday night Second Guess Show and on Saints game days, teaming up with the legendary Buddy Diliberto and then with fellow Cajun Bobby Hebert—both of whom became his dear friends. In 2021, Mike realized his career-long dream, officially joining the WWL Radio SportsTalk team as a full-time host.

While beloved for his coverage of the New Orleans Saints and LSU Tigers, the NFL Draft was his true specialty. From 1985 to 2021, he published the annual Mike Detillier’s Draft Report, providing ratings and in-depth analysis on the country’s top college football prospects along with his NFL draft projections.

In 2006, Sports Illustrated regarded Mike as the “Best Unknown Voice” in America. But in his home state, he was far from unknown. Over the years, Mike co-hosted the “Saints on the Bayou” television show on HTV in Houma, provided analysis on the LSU Sports Radio Network pre-game show with Charles Hanagriff, wrote a weekly column for the Houma Courier and St. Charles Herald newspapers, and did weekly radio shows on ESPN 104.5 FM in Baton Rouge with Matt Mascona and ESPN 1420 AM in Lafayette with James Bitterman. He regularly appeared as a guest on WWL, WVUE, WGNO, WDSU, WLAE, and WHNO TV news shows in New Orleans. Across the country, he shared his football analysis and scouting expertise on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd,” ESPN’s “Outside the Lines,” Tennessee Titans Radio Network, Sporting News Radio Network, Armed Forces Radio Network, and countless others.

Off the air, Mike never met a stranger and gave generously of his time. He encouraged, mentored, and paved the way for other aspiring sports journalists while promoting local athletes, coaches, and Nicholls State University athletics. He was a spokesperson for Thibodaux Regional Health System and champion for the Pro Football Camp, Louisiana Line Camp, and Manning Passing Academy held each summer on the Nicholls campus.

An avid sports memorabilia collector and history buff, Mike also loved a wide range of music and had a great appreciation for local art. He enjoyed serving as the 2016 Grand Marshal of the Krewe of Hercules in Houma and riding with the Magical Krewe of Mad Hatters in Metairie.

His ability to easily connect with people was only matched by his uncanny bond with animals. With his own beloved dogs Buffy and Scruffy long gone, he found great joy in feeding and “communicating” with cats, birds, dogs, rabbits, donkeys, and occasionally bald eagles living or passing through his bayou neighborhood. His granddaughters look forward to continuing that legacy.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at St. Hilary of Poitiers Catholic Church, 333 Twin Oaks Dr., Raceland, LA. Visitation will be from 8:00 a.m. until the memorial Mass at noon with burial to follow in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages contributions in Mike’s memory to one of the many great organizations in his hometown such as LASI - Lafourche Animal Society, Inc. (mail: PO Box 5572, Thibodaux, LA 70302 or Venmo: @Lafourche-Animals), Central Lafourche High School (mail: 4820 Highway 1, Raceland, LA 70394), or Central Lafourche Flag/Bantam Football (Zelle: clfbfootball). Please include “In honor of Mike from NAME” in the memo line of your check or online donation.

Special thanks to St. Joseph Hospice for their compassionate care and to Mike’s friends, colleagues, former Draft Report subscribers, and radio show listeners near and far whose incredible tributes have brought much comfort and joy to his family.

Falgout Funeral Home is honored to serve the Detillier family.