Prep coaches know new schools well
There is something to be said for staying within a comfort zone. And two local high schools, Glen Oaks and Plaquemine, did just that by hiring coaches familiar with their respective programs.
Vernon Langley has been hired as the head football coach at Glen Oaks. Langley, a 1991 GOHS graduate, takes the Panthers’ head job for the second time. He served as the Glen Oaks head coach in 2007 and 2008.
Meanwhile, Plaquemine has hired Kirby Loupe as its boys basketball coach. Loupe previously coached at Zachary and PHS’ Westside rival, Port Allen. Loupe’s hiring was recently approved by the Iberville Parish School Board.
“I’m excited, and I also know we’ve got a lot to do in a short period of time,” Langley said. “I met with some of the kids today at the school, and I’ll be going out to knock on some doors.”
Langley compiled a 6-12 record in two seasons as head coach at Glen Oaks, going 4-6 in 2007 and 2-6 in the Hurricane Gustav-shorted 2008 season. He spent the next 21/2 years as an assistant at Scotlandville High and coached track at Istrouma last spring.
Langley had accepted a job as defensive coordinator and assistant athletic director at Baker earlier this summer from BHS head coach Richard Oliver, who previously was head coach at Istrouma and Scotlandville.
“I was ready to go at Baker, but Glen Oaks … that’s my alma mater calling, and I couldn’t turn it down,” Langley said. “We’re family and our goal is to turn things around.”
The Glen Oaks job had been open since midway through the 2011 season when Landry Williams, who succeeded Langley, was relieved of coaching duties. Donald Clark served as GOHS’ interim coach and also supervised offseason drills.
Loupe last coached at Zachary High from 2009-11. He spent the 2011-12 school year on the Brusly High faculty and did not coach.
“I’m so excited to get this opportunity,” Loupe said. “Plaquemine is a basketball program that has been successful for a long time, including the time I coached at Port Allen. “Hopefully, we can continue the traditions Plaquemine has. I can’t wait to get started.”
Port Allen won 104 games during Loupe’s final four-year span at the school, including a Top 28 semifinal appearance in 2008 and a quarterfinal berth in 2009. Loupe led Zachary to two Class 5A playoff berths before the school opted to change coaches. His 2010-11 team finished 18-12.
Belaire update
Belaire High Athletic Director Donnell Hyde said the school began interviewing finalists for its head football job on Thursday.
Hyde said Belaire expects to interview six finalists for the job and is seeking someone willing to stay at the school for “the long haul.”
“We’ve got kids who have been working hard all summer, and it’s time for them to have a head football coach,” Hyde said. “They deserve that. We had to advertise the job, and now we’re ready to go.”
The Belaire job opened up in June when Jason Wilkins resigned after one season to become an assistant baseball coach at Denham Springs High.