Home, sweet home

As a high school student, most people think they know exactly the path their life is supposed to take. And then, as they get into adulthood, those paths become twists and turns leading to different roads taken.
Then there are those, like coach John Jack, who make their paths straight, because the life envisioned in high school turns out to be exactly as planned.
The Mamou High school head basketball coach knew exactly what he wanted for his life in high school and followed through on that path; a path that has been, for the most part, as straight as an arrow for the last 31 years.
“I figured that if I ever went to college, I would become a teacher and a coach,” said Jack. “My elementary football coaches, Conrad Fusilier and Mike Latigue, were instrumental in my decision to become a coach. They inspired me the most and I knew from their leadership that this was the path I would take.”
Not only has Jack been able to follow his dream of coaching in the high school ranks, but he has been able to do that at his alma mater for his entire career.
The 1980 Mamou High graduate and four sport athlete can relish in the fact that his influence on players has stayed in one place, his hometown; something that only a handful of people in the coaching profession can claim.
“It truly has been a blessing to be able to stay in Mamou for my entire career,” stated Jack. “For me to be able to watch this community grow and be a part helping young men and women become productive people in this town is indescribable.”
When Jack graduated from Mamou, he spent the fall of 1980 working to attain enough money to go to college.
Then in the spring of 1981, Jack enrolled at McNeese State University, where he graduated in the spring of 1985.
As fate would have it, the Mamou head basketball head coach at the time, Donald Frank, was looking to step down. A phone call from Jack’s former principal sealed his path in life; a path he had set for himself some 10 years earlier.
Little did Jack or anyone know, but that phone call would keep him in one place for over 30 years.
“I was getting ready to graduate from McNeese in the spring of 1985 and Mr. Denny Guillory called me one night,” said Jack. “He told me that he was looking for a basketball coach and that Coach Frank had recommended me for the job. So, I took him up on his offer and here I am 31 years later.”
Jack’s first year on the job was a memorable one. The new head coach led a talented team to the 1986 state championship game, losing to White Castle by only two points; one of two top 28 appearances under Jack (the other was in 2003).
Under Jack’s leadership, the Demon basketball program has won 15 district titles in 30 years and has been to the playoffs 17 times.
However, when asked about his overall record, the laid back, humble coach cannot tell you how many wins he currently has.
“I never really kept up with my record,” said Jack. “I could not tell what it is right now.”
The success of the program that Jack has overseen all these years comes from a coaching philosophy that has not changed much over his tenure.
“Athletics and athletes have changed over the past 30 years,” stated Jack. “But, my philosophy of handling kids has not changed. I still consider myself a disciplinarian. I still treat every player the same, regardless if they are the star player or not. Don’t get me wrong, times have changed and you have to tweak things, but my overall coaching philosophy has not changed.”
That style of coaching has given rise to a couple of former players following their mentor into the coaching ranks. Mack Guillory and Emerson Batty are now currently coaching basketball on the high school level.
“It is rewarding to see guys that you coached get into the profession,” said Jack. “I would like to think that I had something to do with that. They still call me every once and awhile.”
Situations like this can only occur when someone gives back to the school and community they grew up in.
This is why Coach John Jack can always call Mamou home, sweet home.