School Spotlight – Breaux Bridge High School (Breaux Bridge, LA)

Breaux Bridge High School is the central educational institution for Breaux Bridge, officially designated as the “Crawfish Capital of the World” in 1959. It is best known for its deep roots in local Cajun culture, athletic programs, and a roster of famous alumni in professional sports and entertainment. BBHS is deeply intertwined with the world-famous Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival. BBHS is highly recognized for its sports atmosphere, especially its intense rivalries and recent history-making championships. The school is well-known for producing high-profile figures in sports and music: 

• Hunter Hayes: Multi-platinum country music singer and songwriter
• Branford Marsalis: World-renowned, Grammy-winning jazz saxophonist
• Jake Delhomme: Former NFL quarterback who led the Carolina Panthers to Super Bowl XXXVIII
• Domanick Williams (Davis): Former NFL Rookie of the Year for the Houston Texans

When did you start coaching?

2011 was the start of the coaching journey. High school stops at Holy Savior Menard, Marksville, Carencro, Church Point, but Breaux Bridge High from 2013-2020 as an assistant coach before returning in 2024 as Head Coach. 

What has been the biggest lesson you’ve learned while coaching?

The biggest lesson learned as a HC is staying true to the vision and being patient. Even though you might want to stray from the vision at times to win more now, you know you can’t protect the culture, and ultimately all the daily wins, small and big, will reflect on the scoreboard. 

What do you hope to achieve next season?

Next season, we will be relying on a team consisting mainly of incoming freshmen and sophomores, with only a small group consisting of juniors and seniors.  Although there will be some learning curves, it is exciting for the future of our program. But the goal is hit the ground running and watch them grow on the field now, since not able to sit for a couple of years and wait their turn.  

Is there any room for improvement for you or your team?

Consistency, we are so young, we have good days and some days it feels like we take steps back, but it’s fun watching young leaders who are stepping up, whether a senior or not. 

Do you have any future goals for the football program at Breaux Bridge?

The future goal for our program is be a team everyone hates to play against. 

Are there any teams you look forward to playing against next season?

I’m always excited for every game, a new schedule cycle with some new opponents, so I’m looking forward to them all.

Nelson Borel, one of our top guys and leaders returning. He will be a senior TE/OLB. He is a freak of an athlete and excels in basketball and track as well. He played primarily as TE for us last year, but still made 1st team all district linebacker.  Has all the potential to play at the next level.

Dakowen “Pop” Celestine will be a Junior WR/QB/DB who has started since a freshman year and is tall, fast, and can be a dynamic playmaker for us next year. He is another multi-sport athlete who continues getting better every day.