Longtime Catholic High School head football coach Dale Weiner announced Monday that he is retiring as head football coach at Catholic High School.

Weiner, who began his coaching career in 1975 as an assistant at Catholic High of Pointe Coupee, was named head football coach at Catholic High School in 1987. He will remain at Catholic High on staff as a full-time faculty member. “After much prayer and thought, I have decided that after 30-years as the head football coach at Catholic High, it is time to serve the school in a different role. I owe so much to our school administration for their support with my decision,” said Weiner.



“Dale has been an outstanding football coach at CHS for the past 30-years. More importantly, he is an outstanding man of character and I am grateful that even though he is retiring from the field, he will remain at Catholic High as a full-time faculty member continuing to teach classes and form students in the tradition of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart,” noted Lisa Harvey, CHS principal.



Succeeding Weiner as the next head coach is CHS offensive coordinator Gabe Fertitta. Fertitta, who played and coached at the collegiate level, coached the wide receivers and offensive lineman at CHS from 2007-2009. He returned to Catholic High in 2014, serving as Weiner’s offensive coordinator. In the last three seasons, the Bears’ offense has averaged 361 yards and 34 points per game.



Fertitta expressed his gratitude this way: “I am so humbled to become the next head football coach at Catholic High School. Dale Weiner built this program in to what it is today and made it his life’s work for 30-years. Aside from my own father, Coach Weiner has influenced my development as a coach and as a man of faith more than anyone I’ve ever come in contact with.”



Weiner is credited with rebuilding the Catholic High football program, and under his 30-year leadership, has led the Bears to 18 district championships, 15 state quarter finals, eight state semifinals and two state championship appearances. Weiner’s success culminated in 2015 with winning the LHSAA Division I State Championship, the only football state championship title in the school’s 122-year history. Weiner’s CHS career record is 282-82.



Over the course of his 41-year coaching career, Weiner has amassed an overall record of 317-109. He is one of only eight coaches in Louisiana high school football history to reach the 300th career win mark. Weiner has been named Louisiana State Coach of the Year three times and District Coach of the Year 15 times. He has coached four high school All-Americans, had more than 140 athletes continue on to play collegiate football and 16 players play professional football. Weiner is a member of the Louisiana Weightlifting Hall of Fame and Catholic High School’s Grizzly Greats Athletic Hall of Fame.



As important as his successes on the field, Weiner made a tremendous impact on a personal level with the young men he coached throughout his career. “Coach Weiner has achieved all there is to accomplish as a coach and has



been an excellent educator for the Brothers of the Sacred Heart,” said J.P. Kelly’92, CHS athletic director. “His humor, dedication, humility and most importantly his faith, are the lasting characteristics he has modeled to countless students and athletes through the years.”



Gene Tullier, CHS president, echoed Kelly’s praise. “We are grateful for Dale’s service as head football coach, grateful for the positive impact he has had on so many young men and grateful that he will continue to witness faith and Gospel values to students and staff alike at Catholic High School.”