West Monroe (West Monroe, La.) quarterback Paul Turner didn’t make an immediate decision when LSU offered him a scholarship, but it didn’t take Turner long to commit to the Tigers.
After the scholarship offer following his participation in LSU’s July football camp, Turner and his father visited the campus this past weekend. That’s when Turner came to the conclusion that he wanted to continue his career in Baton Rouge.
"At first it was a pretty hard decision," Turner said. "But when I got down here and visited with the coaches and really got to see some of the facilities, I just felt like it was home….Everything just felt right."
Recruited as an athlete, Turner is expected to be used either at receiver or defensive back. Turner has excelled as a high school quarterback. As a junior, he was the Most Valuable Player of the 2009 Class 5A state championship game in which he led the Rebels past
Archbishop Rummel, 30-0. Turner rushed for 154 yards and a touchdown and completed 8 of 12 passes for 63 yards.
For the season, he completed 78 of 132 passes for 1,511 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also rushed 131 times for 1,054 yards and 17 touchdowns and played in West Monroe’s defensive secondary.
By committing to LSU before the start of practice, Turner said he was able to "release a lot of pressure off myself and allow myself to try to help the team repeat as champions."
Rebels hire new coachWest Monroe will have a new running backs coach this season with the addition of one of its former players to the staff.
Joey Adams, who quarterbacked the Rebels from 1985-87, also will be an assistant softball coach. Adams previously was
Cedar Creek long-time offensive coordinator.
"After 22 years away, it's kind of surreal," Adams said of returning to his alma mater. "It's so much different. It's very exciting….West Monroe competes at a championship level in all its athletic programs."
Adams’ wife and brother will remain on the staff at Cedar Creek, where his son and nieces attend school.
"He's done an outstanding job for us and been a friend and colleague for a number of years, and I hate to see him go," Cedar Creek athletic director Andy Yepson said of Adams. "But it's a good opportunity, and we wish him well."
Yepson said he hired former
Ouachita assistant coach Jared Little to replace Adams.
Christian Life makes changeDespite having led
Christian Life to the Class 1A title game less than two years ago, Warren Capone is out as the Crusaders head football coach and defensive coordinator Fran Mahan has been named interim head coach.
After already taking one pay cut, Capone said he met with CLA founder and pastor Dr. Jere Melilli and was told "they couldn’t keep me….I think there may be some financial considerations."
Capone leaves with a four-year record of 19-26, including 2-9 last season. He was named the Louisiana Sports Writers Association Class 1A Coach of the Year in 2008 when the Crusaders finished with a 12-2 record and second in the state to South Plaquemines, which snapped CLA’s 10-game win streak.
"It’s really been a whirlwind," Mahan said. "I think this caught a lot of us by surprise, including the players and coaches. Philosophy-wise, not a lot will change. The kids’ spirits are high. I’ve told them the best way they can honor Coach Capone is by going out and winning some games."
Capone played linebacker for LSU from 1971-73 and earned All-America honors in 1972-73. He played professionally in the World Football League with the Birmingham Americans/Vulcans and in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints. He is the only player ever to have competed both in the WFL's World Bowl and the NFL’s Super Bowl.
Capone had never held a prep coaching job until taking over a CLA team that had endured four consecutive losing seasons, including 0-9 in 2005.
"I certainly wasn’t ready for it to end," Capone said. "But the memories I have, especially from that 2008 season will be with me always. All I can do now is move on."
Maggio steps downCLA lost its head boys basketball coach, as well, when Carlo Maggio abruptly resigned via an e-mail sent to Athletic Director Kerry Wilkerson in which he said he was stepping down for health and family reasons.
In his lone season at CLA, the 31-year-old Maggio guided the Crusaders to a 36-5 record and the Class 1A state championship last March.
"I think there are some people upset with me because of the e-mail," said Maggio, who explained that he was visiting family and friends in Vinton when he sent the e-mail.
"The reason I sent the e-mail was because I wanted to give Christian Life a chance to start making plans right away. I knew I couldn’t get back to Baton Rouge (immediately). I didn’t want any more time to pass before I informed the school of my decision."
Maggio said recurring problems with a heart arrhythmia and the revelation of an ulcer prompted his decision to step down. Maggio said his plans include completion of his master’s degree at McNeese State.
Baseball: Count out Episcopal coachEpiscopal (Baton Rouge) head baseball coach Chris Counts, who had been at the school for nearly 20 years, resigned less than three months after leading the Knights to the Class 2A semifinals.
"I’ve enjoyed the time I’ve spent at Episcopal, and I feel like we’ve accomplished some very good things," said Counts, 41. "I started at Episcopal as an assistant when I was 23, so this school has been a big part of my life for a long time."
Counts said he made his decision after meeting with school administrators. In 15 years as head coach, Counts amassed an overall record of 292-186, including the 2004 Class 2A state championship.
