Boquet, staff resign from HLB football program

As the saying goes, “All good things come to an end.”

Such was the case with the resignations of H.L. Bourgeois head football coach Randy Boquet, along with offensive coordinator Davis Arceneaux and defensive coordinator Rodney Boudreaux Friday.

“There were pretty serious philosophical differences between myself and the administration and I felt that it was my time to go,” Boquet said.

The aforementioned differences surfaced during an altercation between Boquet and two of his players – starting quarterback Evan Ingram and starting tight end Wayne Ingram. Both were dismissed from the team following an “unspecified dispute.”

Amid speculation that Boquet might be released, school administrators and Boquet reached a resolution “that would benefit everyone” after emerging from a closed-door meeting.

Boquet remained head coach and the Ingrams were allowed back on the team.

However, both Ingram brothers didn’t dress for any games and eventually transferred to John Curtis High School.

Since taking over in 2001, Boquet and his staff turned a 1-9 district doormat into an undefeated district champion in two of the past three seasons. They also helped the Braves host their first home playoff game in more than 20 years.

Nonetheless, Boquet and some assistants felt the need to leave.

“It’s not a good working environment where I’m at now, when you have to walk on pins and needles worrying about what’s going to happen to you professionally because of somebody holding a grudge against you,” Arceneaux said. “It’s just not a good place to work.”

Boudreaux will miss the team.

“Those kids came together and took up for each other,” he said. “We didn’t have to tell them ‘team first.’ They coached themselves.”

Boquet agreed.

“We have had tremendous teams over here,” he said. “I loved every team I’ve ever coached, but this team was special – very, very special with all the adversity we had to overcome. Winning as an undefeated district champion under these circumstances and everything we went through is something I am very proud of and something I will never forget.”

Boquet has already started coaching boys’ soccer team at South Terrebonne High School. He helped guide the Gators to a 4-0 win over Hahnville in his first game.

When asked if he would ever coach at H. L. Bourgeois again, Boquet added “I’ve learned a long time ago that you never say ‘never.’ Anything is possible.”