DESTREHAN – All of the Destrehan High School football coaches from last season’s staff carried over into the up-coming gridiron season, except for new secondary coach, Terry Joseph.

After being drafted in the 13th round out of Northwestern State University in 1995 by the Chicago Cubs to play centerfield with the Major League Baseball club’s AAA squad, Joseph returned to help coach the secondary at his high school alma mater, Archbishop Shaw High School. He said it was then-head coach Hank Tierney who influenced him to become a coach, so he felt it only fitting to return to Shaw and coach with him.

When rulings fell in 2001 about paying players and a suspension of the Eagles’ football team, Tierney moved across the street to head up West Jefferson High School’s squad.

“He left and out of loyalty with Hank, I also made the decision to go (to Destrehan High School),” said Joseph. “Leaving Shaw, I wanted to go with a winning program, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to deal with an up-and-coming coach, (Stephen) Robicheaux.”

He said although coming from a school so competitive with Destrehan, the transition has been easy and the students have been great about accepting him.

“I take some barbs here and there about coming from a private school,” said Joseph. “But they know it’s all about winning and I’m excited to be here.”

Editor’s Note: This is the first installment in a series of profiles of area high school football coaches and players. If you have a particular candidate in mind for an article contact Robert Roan at 985-652-9545.