Long time coach Don Rodrigue has taken on new challenges at Thibodaux Regional Medical Center.

Chackbay native Don Rodrigue dedicated 39 years of his life to coaching local football players.

Although he recently retired as a coach, Rodrigue is still giving back to local high schools but in a different capacity.

Rodrigue was hired as a marketing coordinator for the Sports Medicine Center at Thibodaux Regional Medical Center in July.

Rodrigue, who is simply known as Coach Rod in the local football community, helps coordinate fundraising events and community projects for the hospitals sports medicine department, which provides free athletic training care services at local high school sporting events.

Rodrigue said his job is to improve the hospitals relationship with area schools.

I dont do training work, Rodrigue said. The trainers take care of the injuries. My job is to go out and make sure things are smooth. I coordinate with the head coaches and booster clubs and make sure they have everything they need.

Rodrigue spent 39 years as an assistant football coach on both the high school and collegiate levels, serving at local schools such as Nicholls State, St. James, H.L. Bourgeois and Vandebilt Catholic. He retired from coaching at the end of the 2011-12 school year.

The 64-year-old Rodrigue said he had opportunities to continue his coaching career, but when Thibodaux Regional CEO Greg Stock asked him to join the hospital, it was something he couldnt refuse.

So far, its been good, Rodrigue said. Im still involved with high school coaches and school kids. Im just not in a daily coaching job. I want to thank Mr. Stock for giving me the opportunity to do something new and enjoy a new role in my life.

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Longtime coach giving back to hospital