Farmer fired at South Lafourche

The Tri-parish coaching carousel started spinning its wheels this week, this time rolling into the plains of Lafourche Parish.

South Lafourche principal Aubrey “Bubba” Orgeron announced last Wednesday that he has fired the school’s football coach Terry Farmer.

The move ends Farmer’s three-year stint with the team with a 19-13 record and a 14-4 mark in district games.

“I just felt it was time to go in a different direction,” Orgeron said. “Despite records and our records the last three years, it was just that time for me as a principal, looking at that big picture that I’m in charge with looking at, I felt the need to go in that different direction.”

“I’m hurt,” Farmer said. “I love the kids here.”

South Lafourche hired Farmer in 2009 to replace former coach and now Convenant Christian coach Blyght Wunstell.

Under farmer, the Tarpons rebounded from a one-win season in 2008 and posted a 10-2 mark in 2009.

The Tarpons graduated most of that 2009 team following the season and struggled to regain their traction in 2010 and 2011, missing the playoffs both years and posting just a 9-11 combined record.

Even amidst struggles, Farmer’s teams finished strong, winning four out of their final five games in 2010 and three straight games to close out 2011.

The coach posted a 7-0 record against parish rivals Central Lafourche and Thibodaux during his tenure.

Orgeron said he made the decision following the completion of this season.

“It wasn’t an easy decision at all,” Orgeron said. “I don’t have anything negative to say about Coach Farmer. I’m thankful for the time he’s given us. We just felt it was time to go in a new direction.”

The reasons for Farmer’s dismissal and what makes up Orgeron’s “big picture” outlook are where the story begins to blur between both parties.

Farmer said he was never told why he was fired, but instead was just told at the meeting his services were no longer needed.

“I can’t give you a whole lot of information, because I don’t know anything,” Farmer said. “They gave me a pretty blank statement and there was really no real reason why [in it]. They just stated that I was no longer head football coach. I don’t have a lot of answers myself. … He didn’t tell me anything. It’s frustrating, but it’s part of the process of being the head football coach.”

When pressed on what Farmer did or didn’t do to not fit into the “big picture” outlook, Orgeron didn’t give specific examples, instead reiterating that he didn’t believe the coach was the right fit going into the future.

“That’s a good question, but it’s not necessarily what I saw or didn’t see,” Orgeron said. “This is just a decision that you make and it was made because I didn’t feel we were going in the right direction. I don’t know how else to explain that. I think a new direction may be what’s best for the kids and also for the school.”

One factor related to the team’s players are roster numbers, which dropped each year of Farmer’s tenure.

The principal didn’t say a lack of player interest in the program directly led to the dismissal, but added he was aware it was there.

“That’s not necessarily a part of the decision,” Orgeron said. “But the things you say about the roster numbers, that is a fact. There are fewer kids that are playing than initially.”

But others look at the numbers, not as a lack of interest, but rather a coach employing only the most deserving within a school.

The Tarpon players who did stay on the team throughout the coach’s tenure have nothing but praise for their former coach.

“The players, they are pretty upset right now,” Farmer said. “And that’s what hurts me the most. But they’ll be OK. They were all coached well. They’ll know how to react.”

With no pure red flag for the firing given, Farmer said a small, rogue portion of the population never fully accepted him as the team’s coach.

Sources close to the program confirmed to the Tri-Parish Times this week that a handful of parents tried to schedule a meeting with South Lafourche Athletic Director Brian Callais following the Tarpons’ early season loss to Plaquemine to attempt to get rid of the coach.

The same sources say the meeting never materialized because several of the team’s leaders got wind of the meeting and threatened to quit if Farmer was replaced.

“I have no idea,” Farmer said when asked why he never got full community approval. “I couldn’t tell you why. I just don’t know. … But I don’t linger on that. There’s a lot of great people down here. I would never leave on a negative note.”

Orgeron didn’t acknowledge any of the outside influences, saying it was solely his decision to go in a new direction.

“It was my decision,” the principal said. “It was my call.”

With Farmer out of the team’s plans, Orgeron said he would begin advertising the job this week.

The principal said he plans to form a search committee to help in the process (like he did when Farmer was hired).

Orgeron added that he’s not sure whether the job will generate a lot of interest in the market.

Farmer said he believes it should, adding whoever takes over the program will be in line to have success.

“Everything’s stable here,” Farmer said. “We’re going to be leaving it in good shape. Whoever comes in will be taking over a good foundation. Everything’s on course.”