LaSalle High School’s head football coach and athletic director Derek White was removed from his positions earlier this week, as confirmed by LaSalle Parish School Superintendent Jon Garrett.

Also removed as head baseball coach was Michael Duke.

“I can confirm there will be a change at LaSalle High School in the head coaching positions of football and baseball, as well as the athletic director,” Garrett said. “Sometimes a change in leadership is necessary to move a program forward and put a program in a position for the highest level of success.”

The Superintendent noted that a search is currently underway for coaches to fill the positions. He also noted that White and Duke haven’t been fired from LaSalle High and are still employees of the school system.

Both White and Duke are longtime educators and coaches at LaSalle High School, their alma mater. White has been the head football coach and athletic director for 20 years and Duke has been the head baseball coach for nearly 10 years.

Although it was initially reported that White was also no longer the head softball coach, it was noted that as of Wednesday morning he still holds that position.

The removal of the coaches has created an outcry on social media from many in the parish with plans underway to fill the parish media center in Jena in support of the coaches at the LaSalle Parish School Board’s next board meeting, set for Tuesday, May 7 at 5 p.m.

The Jena Times will have more on this story in next week’s issue.