St. James football names assistant LaVanta Davis as interim coach for 2022

Chris Singleton, The Courier
·2 min read

St. James has named assistant LaVanta Davis as interim football coach for the 2022 season, according to St. James human resources director Carol Webre.

Davis is leading the team during spring football practices after the departure of Robert Valdez, who announced his resignation as football coach and athletic director on April 27.

Webre said St. James opened a search for the vacancy but has decided not to name a full-time replacement. St. James had 11 applicants for the position, including Davis, according to a list sent to The Courier and Daily Comet from the school board. Former Scotlandville coach Lester Ricard Jr. and former St. James player and assistant coach and former Natchitochoes-Central head coach Byron Keller were among the other applicants.

The interim superintendent, Kelly Cook, put Davis in the interim football and athletic director roles "rather than go forward with an interview process at this time," Webre said in a statement. "A timeline has not been put on this situation."

St. James has named assistant LaVanta Davis as interim coach.
St. James has named assistant LaVanta Davis as interim coach.

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Davis was the team's co-defensive coordinator and defensive back coach under Valdez for the last three seasons.

Davis, a New Orleans native and graduate of L.B. Landry, has head coaching experience. He led Scotlandville to a 21-3 record with appearances in the Division I state title game in 2016 and semifinals game in 2017. He was named St. James Parish School District High School Teacher of the Year in January.

Davis said he looks forward to working as interim coach at St. James.

“I’m just excited to represent the school and community," Davis said. "We look to move forward as a program and developing great student-athletes. We want to continue building on the success that we've had."

Valdez had a 55-19 record in six seasons. He helped the school win the 2019 Class 3A state championship, its fifth overall and first since 1979.

Reach Chris Singleton at 985-857-2213 or chris.singleton@houmatoday.com and on Twitter @courierchris.

This article originally appeared on The Courier: St. James football names LaVanta Davis as interim coach: LHSAA 2022