High school coach joins team’s staff

When the Houma Conquerors needed coaching help, they didn’t look to someone with indoor football experience or even experience coaching adults.

South Terrebonne defensive coordinator David McCormick, 36, was brought in June 2 to coach the linebackers. So far, the move appears to have paid off.

The Conquerors won their first game of the season June 6 with the Houma native and Bourg transplant on the sideline. They fell just short on Saturday in a 35-33 loss to the Acadiana Mudbugs.

“Coach (Franklin) Thomas and his coaching staff had this program set in before they brought me in,” he said. “I just come in to help any way coach asks me to.”

“I broke down game film a lot in my other job,” he added. “That’s what I’m doing here. I try to find tendencies in our opponents.”

It wasn’t Thomas, but Travis Carrell, co-owner of the team’s new marketing firm Louisiana Sports and Entertainment Group, who contacted McCormick about joining the staff.

“I told him I’d be excited to do it. It’s a chance for me to coach football year round and learn the game of indoor football,” McCormick said.

He had seen indoor football games, but this is the first time McCormick has coached the game. His biggest adjustment from the outdoor game is the different rules for linebackers.

“In this league, the linebackers can’t leave their area unless certain things happen, like if the quarterback pumps or if there is a play action,” McCormick said. “I am learning this game on the run. I had to learn the schemes and the rules and everything. I had to do a lot of studying.”

Despite his lack of expertise with the sport, Thomas has been impressed by his new hire.

“He’s very meticulous. He has a real keen sense of football,” Thomas said. “He brings a different element to the coaching staff. We’re grateful for that.”

McCormick has coached at South Terrebonne for the past 12 years and in the Terrebonne Parish Recreational league for 19 years.

This is his first opportunity to coach men on a professional level. However, he doesn’t see any difference.

“Football is football no matter what level you’re at,” McCormick insisted. “If you teach the techniques and fundamentals you’ll be successful. The athletes, from junior high up to the professional level, they all want to be taught.”

Another benefit of joining the Conquerors is that his new job doesn’t interfere with South Terrebonne’s summer schedule.

Because the Conquerors practice from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, McCormick conducts the Gators’ morning workout sessions and attends their Wednesday 7-on-7 drills.

The 1990 South Terrebonne graduate played football four years with the Gators. He suited up one season for the Nicholls Colonels, but only “got in for one or two games.”

In the mid-90s, he was released after training camp from the defunct Canadian Football League team the Birmingham Barracudas.

McCormick never dreamed his first shot in professional football would be in his hometown, so he wants to take full advantage of the opportunity.

“The athletes and coaches are great. We all pull together and work hard,” he said. “It’s a good experience. I’m enjoying it.”

Houma Conquerors’ assistant coach David McCormick (left) draws up a play for the offense during a practice. McCormick is also the South Terrebonne Gators’ defensive coordinator. * Photo by KEYON K. JEFF