A Conversation with New Head Coach Doug Dotson

By Rainee Rayburn

New Central High Head Coach Doug Dotson and I met on a very stormy morning. Walking through the school to his office there were debris and building materials everywhere. It was obvious that renovations were being rushed to completion before school started. We sat in his office and talked.

Coach Dotson told me that he's been with the team for almost four years as the Wildcat’s Defensive Coordinator and Assistant Head Coach. But this year he is our new Head Coach. He and his family are originally from Lafayette, but he decided to move his family here after only one year on the staff at Central High. He has been very impressed with the Central Community and he is happy to call it home.

Last year eight boys on the Wildcat offense went on to play college ball. Coach Dotson said that is why a young team this year could be very challenging, but he's also very optimistic.

Last year’s head coach was Sid Edwards. He is now Central High’s Athletic Director. Coach Edwards will be hosting his radio show live at Foxes Den Pizza again this year on 1550 AM from 5-6 p.m. on Thursdays.

David Simoneaux, now the offensive coordinator for the team, has taken the place of Chad Mahaffey who went on to be the Head Coach at U-High. David Dykes who was the Offensive Line Coach at Central High last year is now the Head Coach at Live Oak.

Coach Dotson said he is proud of the team’s loyal fans. He feels that Wildcat fans (AKA the " Marooniacs"), are the most dedicated fans in the state! He said the Central community goes above and beyond for their team! He shared stories about how impressed he has been over the years to see that no matter whether we play at home or away, Wildcat fans dominate every stadium the team enters. Even for a game such as the Semi-Finals in ‘08 against Brother Martin in Destrehan the Marooniacs completely filled the visitors section and half of the home team’s side of the stadium!

Coach Dotson feels our district has become much stronger because of the very high quality of the coaches hired at these schools. He said Catholic High has been the measuring stick. He said Coach Weiner has done a great job building his program. Coach Dotson called Coach Weiner is "The Godfather” of the district.

Coach Dotson has a lot of respect for the coaches in this district, especially Coach Weiner because he has been around the longest. For many years Catholic High has dominated our district and the other schools are doing all they can to try and keep up. Coach Dotson feels that Catholic serving as the measuring stick has improved the strength of the entire district.

As I listened to Coach Dotson talk with pride about the "Black Out" game last year, I wondered what might be the slogan (the saying, the motto) for the Central High vs. Catholic High game this year? So, I asked him about that. Coach Dotson said his challenge to the Central Community on week five of the season when Central High plays Catholic High will be for fans to show up at Memorial Stadium wearing white. The goal will be to "White Out Memorial Stadium!!”

Coach says that on Friday nights, the place to be is in Wildcat Stadium - AKA "The Cat House" -unless of course, the game is away...and wherever that may be...we will DOMINATE!!

Go Wildcats!