Monica - Molding Young Athletes
Coaching is more than X's and O's. It's managing and guiding young people to be the best they can be on the football field and in life.
St. John the Baptist Parish's Frank Monica has been at a job he loves for 49 years. Not too many can boast that they've worked in the same profession for that length of time.
So, the most likely thing to do was to ask him.
"Hopefully I can give the kids a value system that would be tattooed for life," Monica said. "It's more than just about winning; it's about that system they can carry with them into adulthood."
And that's so true.
I did a little research on what it takes to be a good coach. I decided to research Lou Holtz, a retired coach who led the University of Notre Dame to a national title.
On the base of his statue at Notre Dame, under his career highlights, are three simple words: "Trust. Love. Commitment."
One of Holtz's comments was, "I never really taught football. I thought I taught life."
Monica is in that mold. He has an astute understanding of football. Being a good coach is really all about being a good person.
Those who know Monica think highly of him.
"Coach Monica was my world history teacher when I was a student at St. Charles Catholic High School," SCC science teacher Sean Madere said. "He was a dynamic storyteller with a true passion for molding young minds, and he taught us all the importance of thinking for ourselves."
Said the Gabe Oubre, the father of 10th grade football player Jace Oubre: "It's more than just football with Coach Monica. It's the teaching of life skills to become responsible young adults. The discipline and accountability of his program is second to none, and he loves all the kids. Once we talked to coach and knew his staff, we knew that this was the place for our son."
Said free safety Bryce Authement, who plays for Monica: "I am a senior at SCC. My three older brothers and I have been coached by Coach Monica.
"Playing for him has been an honor. He knows how to get the most out of you and push you to limits you could not reach on your own. He expects you to be a true Comet and play with your hair on fire."
Authement's eighth-grade brother also plays for Monica.
Monica received a bachelor of science degree from Nicholls State University in Thibodaux and a masters from Southeastern University in Hammond. He and his wife, Nancy, have been married for 40 years, have four children and 10 grandchildren.
Monica is in his 49th year of coaching and 21st as the head coach at St. Charles Catholic in LaPlace. He led the St. Charles Catholic's football team to its first state championship and to its first perfect (15-0) football season.
(Story by Anita Hymel - Contributing Writer for Nola.com)