By PATRICK MEEHAN, Centenary Sports Information Director
Director of Athletics and Recreation David Orr has announced the hiring of several assistant coaches – Destiny Duhon (Cheer and STUNT), Merlinn Campagna (women’s soccer), and Joe O’Sullivan (men’s soccer).
Duhon, a Shreveport native, brings a wealth of experience and success to Centenary and will assist head coach Kaylee King with both programs.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Coach D to our program for both Cheer and STUNT,” said King.
“Her background in cheer at multiple levels will provide our teams with a variety of perspectives and insight to help us continue to grow in skills and technique. She brings such a positive personality that will be able to help us continue to build on our program values and continue to elevate our team, not only in the sport of STUNT but also have it recognized throughout the state of Louisiana and nationally through recruiting and networking. I look forward to working with Coach D and witnessing all she will bring to our program.”
Duhon, who owns Southern Elite Cheer, also serves as head coach for Linwood Public Charter School and was previously the head coach for Keithville Middle School, Southwood High School, and Cheer Glitz All-Stars.
Duhon, a former cheerleader at Huntington High School, was nominated for the 2023 Louisiana Coach of the Year presented by Nfinity Sports and was part of the 2005 Coaching Staff of the Year for Cheer Power.
She has two children who are both all-star athletes. Her daughter won NCA All-Star Nationals in 2016 and last season claimed third place at Cheerleading All-Star Worlds in Orlando, Fla. She now coaches both school and at LA Spirit with one elite team and two prep squads.
Her son is a cheerleader at ULM and coaches at Xstreme Cheer. He is currently on Shadow, an International Small co-ed Open team that competes at Cheerleading Worlds. While on Louisiana Rebels he won third at NCA and placed ninth in the world.
Campagna, who will assist head coach Morgan Dorsey, comes to Shreveport from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs where she was the head women’s soccer of the Club team.
Campagna played collegiately at Appalachian State in Boone, NC, as a four-year starter and team captain from 2012-15. She played professionally in Brazil for Nacional A.C. in 2021.
O’Sullivan, a native of England, relocated to Florida at the age of 14 where he quickly found his stride on the soccer pitch. His collegiate career spanned four programs, each showcasing his consistent impact and competitive drive.
STUNT ACADEMIC HONORS: Three Centenary College STUNT student-athletes were named to the College STUNT Coaches Association Academic Honor Roll for the 2025 season.
Senior Avery Cauley, junior Jo Hoffman, and sophomore Alli Ledoux were honored with the prestigious academic distinction on Tuesday. The College STUNT Coaches Association recognizes these outstanding student athletes for their success in the classroom. Nominated student-athletes have a cumulative GPA above a 3.50 and have completed a minimum of 24 credits/units at their current STUNT institution.
“I’m really proud of these three athletes who not only showcased their athletic ability on the mat but their academic ability in the classroom,” said Centenary head coach Kaylee King. They put the student in student-athlete and are more than deserving of this recognition.”
The Ladies finished eighth in the country in the Division III rankings out of 13 teams this season as the first and only NCAA Varsity STUNT team in the state of Louisiana and the only DIII team in the South.
Contact Patrick at pmeehan@centenary.edu