From Championship Sideline to School Hallway
Benjy Lewis, who had steered the Ouachita Lions to an 11‑4 season and a Division I Non‑Select State Championship, announced that he would be stepping down as head football coach. His tenure produced the school's second-ever football state title, a milestone that will linger in the community's memory.
At a Ouachita Parish School Board meeting on May 12, Lewis was formally introduced as the new assistant principal at Good Hope Middle School. The move was framed as a natural progression, allowing him to bring the same leadership and discipline he displayed on the field to a broader educational context.
The decision comes after a season that saw the Lions finish with an 11‑4 record and capture the championship, a feat that underscored Lewis's ability to rally players and staff alike. Administrators praised his contributions both as a coach and as a mentor to countless student‑athletes.
With Lewis now focusing on administrative duties, the district has opened a search for a new head coach to continue building on the program's recent success. The process will involve evaluating candidates who can blend competitive ambition with the school's academic mission.