Vandy’s Constant lands at EDW

David Constant said after four years with Vandebilt Catholic High School, it was time to follow his heart and trust in God’s plan.

That plan is taking him back home to his native Thibodaux.

Just days after resigning as the Terriers’ baseball coach, Constant signed with E.D. White High School, where he will serve as the hitting coach of the baseball team and the wide receivers coach for the football team, spots the school created for him because of his coaching success with the Terriers.

“I’ve come to find out that the Lord has a plan and I’m finding out that this is his plan,” Constant said. “I’m just going to do his will here and I’m very excited for this opportunity and I can’t wait to get started.”

Constant said his decision to resign from Vandebilt was because of “philosophical differences” with the school’s administration.

“I’m going to just leave it at that,” he said.

Despite the apparent difficult exit, the coach did have success in his four years with the team.

He led Vandebilt to more than 90 wins in his four seasons and also advanced to the playoffs each season, while winning two district championships.

The coach’s final season with the Terriers proved to be his most challenging as Vandebilt fielded a young roster and struggled to a 16-13 record, before being mercy-ruled in the opening round of the playoffs in a 12-0 loss to Ruston.

The coach said taking all of the good and bad into consideration, his stay at Vandebilt is one he will never forget, adding he will miss coaching the “high-quality kids” the school produces annually.

“I’ll miss the kids at Vandebilt. I really will,” he said. “It’s tough to leave them … Close to 100 wins in four years, it’s been great being a part of that.”

He added that the conflicts the team’s younger players faced in 2011 will prove positive and will help the team’s new coach Calvin Buxton, whom he touted will keep the team going forward.

“That last year we faced a lot of adversity,” Constant said. “But we got through it, to end up making the playoffs. There are a lot of great kids returning. The program is going to be in good hands. … I know Coach Bux will lead them in the right direction.”

But the coach said his only focus moving forward is his new gig at E.D. White. Constant lives just a few blocks from the Cardinals’ campus.

That comfort, combined with support he received from new E.D. White principal Michelle Chiasson, made the decision easy.

“The support she’s showed has just been so awesome,” Constant said. “She’s just a blessing to have signed a contract with. Her faith and speaking to her about the possible job opening there made me truly convinced that this was a great place to be. I can walk to school now and it’s a great fit.”

Like at Vandebilt, the teams Constant will coach at E.D. White are programs that are used to success.

The Cardinals’ football team is 21-6 in the past two seasons with trips to the Class 3A state quarterfinals and semifinals.

In baseball, E.D. White’s record is identical, posting trips to both the quarter- and semifinals in the past 24 months.

Constant said he’s spoken with Cardinals football coach Kyle Lasseigne and baseball coach Shane Trosclair and they have both welcomed him into the family.

“Both guys, the biggest thing about them is the heart for the kids,” he said. “Just the type of effort I see in their coaching, I love that. I look forward to being a part of that and there’s just a great tradition there in both football and baseball. I hope to help them build on that.”

After all, it’s all part of his plan, and he’s excited for what the future might bring.

“It’s going to be different, but it’s exciting,” Constant said. “They have a great staff at E.D. White and I’m just happy to be a part of it. I believe this is what I’m being called to do and this is where I’m called to be.”