Jordan leaving Catholic High

BY CHRIS LANDRY
THE DAILY IBERIAN
Published/Last Modified on Sunday, May 17, 2009 6:07 AM CDT

Longtime Catholic High School head baseball coach David Jordan confirmed Friday that he is leaving the school at the end of the spring semester.

Jordan, in his 20th year at CHS, said he had informed his players of the decision. He has not yet made a final decision on where he will coach and teach next, Jordan said.

“I’m not really sure right now,” said Jordan. “I’ve narrowed it down to two places. I do want to stay close because of my sons.”

Jordan also was the defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach for the CHS football team. He served as head baseball coach for 19 years, leading the Panthers to the 2001 Class 2A state championship and to the Class 3A finals in 2006.

CHS principal Dr. Timothy Uhl said that replacing Jordan will be tough.

“I communicated with our parents and told them how much of a loss this is going to be,” said Uhl. “He’s a great coach. He’s estabilshed a culture of winning the right way.

“He’s definitely going to be missed by his players, his ex-players who are very loyal to him, and his colleagues. And also his students. He’s a very good teacher.”

CHS won nine straight district titles under Jordan from 1998-2005. The Panthers reached at least the quarterfinals of the state playoffs five times between 2003-09, losing to state champion Parkview Baptist in four of those seasons.

Parkview won five straight state titles from 2002-06 and won again in 2008. CHS narrowly missed out on reaching the Class 3A tournament at Acadian Ballpark in New Iberia this weekend, losing to Loranger in the quarterfinals. Loranger lost to Parkview Baptist 8-1 in the semfinals Friday.

Uhl, who posted the job opening on the Louisiana High School Athletic Association Web site, said he has already been contacted by two coaches who are interested in filling the position.

“(Jordan) has built the program into state prominence, so our hope is we’re going to be able to attract a great coach,” said Uhl.

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Comments

What wrote on May 31, 2009 11:21 PM:

" I love people who post stupid things (notice, I did not call THEM stupid.) I just praised DJ, the program he created, and the fact that it will continue for a while depending on who is picked next? How is that negative? I can cheer as loud as the next person for CHS, but I hope the person sitting next to me has a brain and knows how to use it. "

TO DOES IT MATTER wrote on May 30, 2009 2:04 PM:

" Please do everyone a favor and do not come to any athlectic event at CHS. Our kids don't need the negative attitude that you have towards the athlectic department. "

Does It Matter wrote on May 29, 2009 5:43 PM:

" In the big picture, DJ has built a great baseball program that builds on itself and will continue for a while. Who Uhl picks will determine if it remains great or not. Based on Uhl's teaching choices, and how Uhl let the football program fall to pieces, I'm not holding my breath for this program to last. Gonna miss you, DJ. Good luck where you go. "

CHS Baseball Parent wrote on May 29, 2009 4:54 PM:

" To Observer. DJ must have been a very good coach if he did not play his best players due to their ability but players whom played due to political reasons. His State Championship/ District Titles & Quartefinal appearances speak for themselves that He made the right choices of what player should be on the field playing due to their abilty not due to ur so say political reasons & or unhappy parents. My Thoughts . "

to observer wrote on May 28, 2009 8:03 AM:

" Ha Ha. I don't even have one that played for him. "

to to observer wrote on May 27, 2009 6:34 AM:

" Or maybe your little allstar was put there for political reasons. "

to observer wrote on May 26, 2009 8:13 AM:

" David always did what was right for the TEAM. He never fell into politics. You must have a son who didn't start and here's your reason to complain. Guess what: your son wasn't good enough. If you don't have a son and are really an observer, then that's for all the people who feel the way you do because their little allstars didn't start. "

Observer.... wrote on May 25, 2009 12:00 PM:

" I have seen DJ make decisions as a baseball coach based on political reasons - not solely on the player's ability. Hopefully lessons have been learned and in his next endeavor, he'll think twice when faced with political pressure. I wish him the best. "

friend of david wrote on May 25, 2009 11:58 AM:

" He was fine for 17 of those years because he had 2 salaries. The last 3 have been difficult bc of one salary. Uhl has really helped him out as much as he could. DJs oldest is about to drive-it's getting harder. Trust me. "

to Friend of David wrote on May 24, 2009 9:52 PM:

" Uh, DJ stayed at CHS for 20 YEARS with that same low salary, so you can't convince me that Uhl has nothing to do with DJ leaving. He loves his kids, and if DJ had been happy, he would have stayed. "

The Great Experiment wrote on May 24, 2009 9:51 PM:

" With two years of teaching experience at CHS, here is what you are eligible for: becoming a department chair; mentoring a new teacher; being appointed a head coach for a sport; becoming an elementary administrator, a religion administrator, a yearbook advisor, and a guidance counselor. With three years, you can aspire to be a principal and single-handedly demolish a school. What a difference three years can make. "

Former CHS student wrote on May 22, 2009 12:02 AM:

" Yeah, I am sure it is just a coincidence that David Jordan is leaving around the same time all these other teachers are leaving because of Dr.Uhl. I am sure it has nothing to do with that at all. Best of luck Coach Jordan. I thoroughly enjoyed taking your earth science classes. "

To Friend of David wrote on May 21, 2009 10:35 PM:

" What?????? You might be confused. "

BobcatFann wrote on May 21, 2009 12:44 PM:

" Send him here to Erath, we will take care of him :) Sounds like David is a great guy and CHS will be losing a good coach/mentor, etc. "

friend of david wrote on May 21, 2009 11:31 AM:

" I know David very very well. He is not leaving because of Uhl. Leave him out of that battle. Uhl has been very good to him. They get along just fine. It cost to raise two boys. Period! "

friend of david wrote on May 21, 2009 11:25 AM:

" I know David very very well. He is not leaving because of Uhl. Leave him out of that battle. Uhl has been very good to David and they happen to get along. He has two growing boys and it cost to raise them. Period! "

beachlover wrote on May 19, 2009 10:04 AM:

" The Vermilion Parish School system pays its teachers/coaches very well and there was a tax recently passed to pay the teachers even more! Good for you Jordan, more money, less stress, SMART MOVE! "

AC wrote on May 19, 2009 9:20 AM:

" Also just incase anyone forgot, Coach Jordan did leave CHS for a summer of 2000. That was the summer before CHS won state. I'm sure he was making more money at NISH, but decided to come back to CHS anyway. I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that he is leaving just for the money. I would venture out to say something deeper is helping the coach make his decision. "

AC wrote on May 19, 2009 9:17 AM:

" Coach Jordan and Coach Comeaux were my two favorite coaches at CHS. They always made their classes fun and playing sports under their direction was great as well. Hopefully CHS can continue is tradition of great baseball that Coach Jordan as leaving behind. He built CHS's most successful sports program (maybe with the exception of cross country, track, etc) and his legacy will not soon be forgotten. His successor has some very big shoes to fill. Good Luck Coach Jordan. "

to concerned wrote on May 18, 2009 11:11 PM:

" Of course there's more money in Erath. There's ALWAYS been more money in the public schools. Give David credit for knowing when to jump off a sinking ship!

No teacher will say it to the press (or in any other public arena) that they are leaving because of the demise of the school. "

Baeball Parent from NISH wrote on May 18, 2009 9:16 PM:

" We would have loved to see him take the head coaching position at NISH. Good luck Coach Jordan. You have been a great coach to many good players and they won't forget you. Neither will the players at NISH that you have met in the past and have high respect for you. I know you will do well where ever you decide to go. Best of luck! "

Lyndsey P wrote on May 18, 2009 3:39 PM:

" Coach Jordan was an awesome and fun teacher. A lot of students are going to miss out on a great teacher. I wish him well for the future :) "

Concerned wrote on May 18, 2009 2:49 PM:

" Jordan is leaving of his own accord for more money to teach in Erath. "

Doc wrote on May 18, 2009 12:41 PM:

" Who are some of the names being thrown around as a replacement for Jordan, will it be an assistant , someone from Acadiana, or will it be a outside hire. "

a parent wrote on May 16, 2009 6:54 PM:

" Is this part of the principal's "vision," too? Best wishes, David. Catholic High was blessed to have you as a teacher, coach, mentor, and friend. "

Concerned Parent wrote on May 16, 2009 6:12 PM:

" My family and I will miss him unconditionally and we wish Coach Jordan great success in his future endeavors. "

What meetings wrote on May 16, 2009 12:56 PM:

" Uhl just did not want to talk to the press. He would have to admit that it is his fault that Jordan is leaving. When a coach can't raise funds and has no controll over his own sport, it is time to leave. Let's see if the number of teachers leaving in 3 years goes over 70? "

BobcatFann wrote on May 16, 2009 12:40 PM:

" Word has it he may become a Bobcat :) "

Richard Spears wrote on May 16, 2009 8:45 AM:

" Sad to see you go. "

Vincent P. Barras wrote on May 16, 2009 7:22 AM:

" Take care David. The baseball program won't quite be the same without you. Once again, CHS loses a valuable person. "

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Jordan leaving Catholic High

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