Jesuit vs. Rummel a study of coaching excellence

    I already have my reservation for Saturday night, Oct. 27. That’s when Jesuit and Rummel meet at Joe Yenni Stadium in one of the most compelling prep football matchups of the season.
    The rivalry is intense, but it is also one of much mutual respect. And, that begins with the head coaches.
    Jesuit head coach Wayde Keiser and Rummel head coach Jay Roth have a lot in common.
    Each is coaching at his alma mater. Thus, the investment in his school goes far beyond football.
    Both are truly in their dream jobs. What they provide is something far more than their considerable coaching abilities. They provide stability and that, in turn, provides a chance for sustained excellence.
    Look around prep football in the southeast Louisiana and you will see that stability is a big part of winning programs.
    At John Curtis, J.T. Curtis won his first state football title in 1975.
    Tim Detillier, a Lutcher grad, has won three state football titles since 2003.
    Frank Monica, a longtime LaPlace resident, has built a program of excellence at St. Charles Catholic. One season removed from a 3A state football championship, the Comets are good again, despite graduating a stellar senior class.
    Ken Sears at St. Paul’s, Jabbar Juluke at Karr, Wayne Reese at McDonogh 35 and Jerry Leonard at Salmen are all coaches who have built programs, not teams.
    Both Roth and Keiser understand what wins. After a win this season over St. Aug, Roth said this in a television interview: “We played smash-mouth. That was Rummel football.”
    One of Keiser’s favorite sayings is, “We do what we do.”
    But, both are adaptable. Both are throwing the football more – and more effectively.
    That’s because both have outstanding senior quarterbacks (Tanner Lee/Jesuit, Damian Williams/Rummel) who will play Division I college football.
    Both have very good coaching staffs. Jesuit offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Chris LaMothe and Rummel defensive coordinator Eddie Jacquillard are among the many accomplished coaches on both staffs.
    Both are extremely hard working and organized.
    A favorite Roth-ism is, “You have to wake up with determination to go to bed with satisfaction.” Or “if you fear failure, you will be successful.”
    Both have been that. Jesuit has won back-to-back district titles. Rummel reached the 5A finals in 2009. Both reached the 5A quarterfinals a year ago.
    A year ago, Jesuit had its best team in years. Linebacker Deion Jones signed with LSU, running back Paul Stanton with Harvard and offensive tackle Todd Jacquet with Tulane.
    This season, Rummel is ranked No. 1 in the state 5A writers’ poll. Besides Williams, the Raiders have stars like fullback Cethan Carter and offensive tackle Patrick Kliebert. They will measure each other on a Saturday night.
    Is it a big game? Both coaches will say, “Sure, it’s the next one.” Quality stuff it will be.
    If you want a good seat, get there (quite) early.
    Ed Daniels is sports director of ABC26 WGNO. He can be reached at [email protected].