Natchitoches Central's hire of Many's Jess Curtis highlights Central Louisiana football coaching carousel

By LaMar Gafford 

Photo of Many coach Jess Curtis by Parker Waters

The best hires are the ones that you never see coming.

Nearly a month after winning his third state championship in nine years, Many coach Jess Curtis was named as Natchitoches Central’s new football coach Thursday.

“It is hard for me to contain my excitement for our student-athletes, our athletics program and Natchitoches Central High School with the announced hiring of Jess Curtis as the head football coach,” Natchitoches Central principal Micah Coleman said in a press release. “Coach Curtis is a winner in every phase. ... Coach Curtis wins in the classroom, he wins the hallways; therefore, he wins on the field.”

Curtis just led Many to a 13-0 season and a 35-19 win in the Division III non-select championship game Dec. 10 against Union Parish. Earlier in the season, the Tigers won a much-hyped showdown against Newman, and they clinched their fourth straight trip to the title game with a win against St. James.

In 13 seasons at Many, Curtis was 142-32 and was named LSWA Class 2A Coach of the Year twice.

Over the last 10 years, the Tigers were the 2A runners-up in 2013, 2019 and 2021, and also made semifinal runs from 2016-2018.

“As a district, we want to excel in everything we do, whether it be academics or athletics,” said Dr. Grant Eloi, Superintendent of Natchitoches Parish Schools, in a press release. “Coach Curtis, with his track record of leading young people, gives our students the opportunity to achieve both in the classroom and the ball field.”

Curtis takes over for former coach James Wilkerson, who went 10-19 in three seasons at the helm from 2020-2022. In 2021, Wilkerson led the Chiefs to a 7-4 record and a trip to the playoffs after a 6-0 start.

Curtis’ hire continues one of the busier seasons on the Central Louisiana coaching carousel.

In all, 10 area schools will have new coaches.

Earlier this week, Marksville hired Sacred Heart-Ville Platte coach Josh Harper to replace Jimmie Hillman and Rosepine promoted Troy Gardner to replace Brad Ducote.

Hillman left for the Bunkie job, which became open in December when former coach Nick Pujol resigned.

Former Avoyelles coach Andy Boone took the Lakeview job last week after Brandon Helms resigned for health reasons.

Pickering, Avoyelles, Menard and Vidalia join Many as schools with vacancies that still need to be filled.