Lorio out as Thibodaux coach Resignation cites ‘concern with discipline structure within team’

When Thibodaux High School state championship-winning coach Dennis Lorio returned to the program three years ago, there were high hopes among the Tigers’ community.

Those hopes officially came to an end last Wednesday as the coach announced he was resigning from his position effective Dec. 6 after posting a 22-12 record in the past three seasons.

“At the request of [Thibodaux High School] principal Kevin George and in a mutual agreement, I am resigning as head football coach at Thibodaux High effective Dec. 6,” Lorio said in his resignation letter. “I plan on fulfilling my contract as physical-education teacher this spring.”

Lorio’s last season at Thibodaux was one of his most stressful of his career.

The Tigers finished just 4-6 and lost multiple players to injuries throughout the season. But Thibodaux also dealt with multiple off-the-field behavior issues, as well.

“We’ve had more disciplinary actions this year than all the other years combined that I’ve been at Thibodaux High,” Lorio said in a late October interview. “And on top of that, there’s no defense for injuries, and we’ve probably had more games missed due to injuries this year than any of my other seven years here combined. It’s really significantly challenged our depth, but you know what? Everyone in our district has to deal with that … That’s when you find out a lot about your kids.”

Lorio referenced those problems again in his letter and said his resignation was sparked from George’s concern with the control Lorio had over the team on and off the field.

“Mr. George informed me of concerns about the discipline structure within the football team,” Lorio added in the letter. “We tried to give some young men second and sometimes third chances, as we all make mistakes.”

Despite the struggles in 2010, Lorio did reinstill a championship tradition in his second stint with the team. The Tigers advanced to the State Quarterfinals in 2009 and had a perfect regular season in 2008 to win the Bayou District Championship.

Lorio had also found the winning formula in his first stint with the team from 1987-91, including when the team won their first and still only football state championship.

Whether Thibodaux will be the end of the road for the coach is uncertain. In his letter, Lorio states he has not looked into other coaching opportunities yet, because he is focused on closing the academic year at Thibodaux.

“Successful people are often mentioned when jobs come open, and my name has been mentioned in connections with a few jobs. There are other employment options that I will explore later,” Lorio said.

He then added, “[But] we wish nothing but success for the Thibodaux Tigers football program in the future. Go Tigers.”

Repeated attempts to reach Lorio and George by telephone were unsuccessful as of press time.