Ellender Starts New Chapter Naming Jesse Turner Head Football Coach

Early Friday morning Jesse Turner confirmed that he had been named the new head football coach at Ellender. 
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David McCormick resigned in December after four seasons as head coach, which many believe McCormick will have strong consideration to be the next head football coach at South Terrebonne. 

Turner is an Ellender alum & was a standout running back from 2004-2008, then went on to star at Nicholls State from 2008-2012. He has also been the offensive coordinator the last four seasons for the Patriots. 

“This is something that I’ve been wanting for a long time,” Turner said. “I’m passionate about this school & these kids deserve the best. For me it’s all about changing the culture & putting a sense of pride back into the school. I know it’s not something that’s going to happen overnight, but I’m extremely confident that I’ll get this program exactly where it needs to be.”

The last time the Patriots had a winning season was in 2016 when they went 6-5. It’s no secret that a lot of talent comes through this program year in & year out, but what has been the missing formula to having successful seasons consistently?? 

“Kids want to be apart something & believe it or not they want structure,” Turner said. “We have to change how we do things around here. Something small as having all our kids dressed the same at practice goes a long way when you’re building something. And one of the biggest things that go into changing a program is having full support from your administration, which I know I have here at Ellender.”

The 29 year old Turner did not confirm what’s his plan for his coaching staff, but he expressed that he wants a staff that’s all in. Turner called the plays on offense the last four years, but hasn’t decided if he will continue those duties going forward.

“As a head coach I can’t just hold these kids accountable, I have to make sure I hold my assistant coaches accountable as well,” Turner said. “When you look around the state at programs that are successful consistently, they have great assistant coaches. We have to set a standard here & it starts with us as coaches.”

The Patriots have a good bit of young talent coming back on offense next season that shouldn’t make the transition too difficult for Turner. Standouts Junior Tyshaun Hester & Freshman Devante Scott will be returning at running back to give the Patriots a very talented backfield. Talented Sophomore wide receiver O’Ryan James returns & they’ll get back freshman receiver Tamaj Verginwho sat out this past season with a knee injury. They’ll return the whole offensive line led by junior Bradley Martin. 

Talented Freshmen Zatontay Smith & Zay Queenwill be returning next year on the defensive line with Freshman linebacker Johnathan Vallelungo will bolstering the linebacker group. 

“We have a lot of young talent returning that got a lot of varsity experience this past season,” Turner said. “We know the talent that we have in this building over here along with the talent coming from our feeder schools Grand Caillou & Oaklawn that we’re extremely excited about.”