06/04/2026
A Final Goodbye to Beau Chene Futbol šā½
Twenty years.
It doesnāt seem possible that twenty years have passed since I first walked onto the touchline at Beau Chene High School.
Today, as I begin a new chapter with the Louisiana Soccer Association, it is time for me to officially step away as head coach of Beau Chene Soccer.
This is a post I never really wanted to write.
Over the last two decades, this program became so much more than soccer. It became family.
When we started, Beau Chene soccer was fighting for survival. The program had even been canceled at one point. Together, we built it back. We turned a little school in the swamp into one of the most respected public-school soccer programs in Louisiana.
Along the way we celebrated:
š 15 Parish Championships
š 5 District Championships
š 8 State Semifinal Appearances
š 2 State Runner-Up Finishes
š 28 All-Star Selections
š 31 All-State Players recognized 58 times
š 7 State MVP Awards won by 4 different players
But honestly?
The trophies and banners arenāt what Iāll remember most.
Iāll remember the people.
Iāll remember Brock Hollier, Briley Dronet, Adrian Eaglin, and Juan Carlos Pilicita Brito bringing home State MVP honors.
Iāll remember Cameron Smith, Grant Smith, Grant Domengeaux, Adam and Jeremy Meche, Alex and Devin Auzenne, Reese and David Smith, John Morgan Eaglin, and so many others who helped shape this program.
Iāll remember Dawson Allain, the original #12 jersey, and those early groups who laid the foundation for everything that followed.
Iāll remember Spencer Taylor, my original āstep sonā of the program, who later stood beside me as an assistant coach. Then came Landon Guidry, Latrell Beauchamp, Davon Boast, Dree, and so many more former players like sons to me, who grew into leaders. Coached my own godchild Matthew Lagrange for 4 yearsā¦ what a time!
And speaking of Davonā¦
I couldnāt be happier to see him take over this program.
Davon, I know your heart. I know your passion. I know how much you love these kids and this community. Keep teaching the fundamentals. Keep teaching toughness. Keep teaching family.
Most importantly, keep teaching them what it means to wear Beau Chene across their chest.
I know youāll do an incredible job.
One of the greatest blessings of my career was coaching my own children.
Dylan earned All-State honors twice while becoming Parish Offensive Player of the Year and Parish MVP.
Braeden earned All-State honors and Parish Player of the Year.
Brooklynn made the All-State Freshman Team, later earned All-State honors again, and was named Parish Offensive MVP twice.
They made me proud every day.
Being a father and a coach at the same time is one of the hardest balancing acts in the world. Looking back, I wish I had done a better job at times. But I hope they always know how much every moment meant to me.
The memories are endless.
The penalty shootout victory at Ben Franklin in 2013 that sent us to our first state championship game.
The 2018 Road Warriors making another run to the Finals despite having almost no true home field all season.
The packed crowds at The Swamp for Teurlings, STM, Westminster, and playoff nights.
The cold January evenings under the lights.
The bus rides.
The practices.
The laughs.
The 2 Live Crew Chants after wins
The Fee
The heartbreaks.
The 2013 State Final against St. Louis.
The 2018 State Final against Holy Cross.
The 2019 semifinal at Holy Cross that somehow featured fourteen and a half minutes of stoppage time, red cards, chaos, and one of the craziest endings Iāve ever witnessed.
The Vanderbilt semifinal loss at home where everything that could go wrong did go wrong, yet our boys still fought until the final whistle.
Those moments hurt.
But they also helped create the brotherhood that defines Beau Chene soccer.
Thatās what Iāll miss most.
The brotherhood.
The adversity.
The relationships.
The chance to watch boys become men.
Over the years our teams changed and evolved. We became more diverse. We welcomed players from every background and culture. The Hispanic community brought incredible young men into our program and into my life.
Eloy, Ben, Rogelio, Cesar, Yareli, Erick, Robert, P**i, Junior, Jonny Mencia, Marcos, Cris, Chele, and so many others became family.
And my real āstep son,ā JosuĆ© Navarro Zamora, remains in our prayers every day. Beau Chene Futbol loves you and always will.
I also want to recognize the overachievers from these last few seasons.
Trey. Devin. Kennedy. Wyatt.
Groups that faced challenge after challenge but never stopped fighting.
Those kids represented everything Beau Chene soccer should be.
To the girls I coached, thank you.
Those years were challenging, exhausting, and rewarding all at once.
Brooklynn, Meghan, Helen, Jailah, Briana Knott, Cloe Marks, Emma Dupuis, Cloe Bonvillain, Yareli, Raelyn, Kadie Daigrepont, Alana, Toriana, Marlie Savant, and so many others made those years special.
To every assistant coach, thank you. Especially Grady and Matt and Reggie! Some of my best and favorite moments with you guys! Spencer, Dylan, Ricky, Alex, Charles, Dree, Davon, Trell, Messi, and Fabian man!
To every teacher, administrator, trainer, manager, and volunteer, thank you.
To Coach Dickey, thank you for finally helping make the soccer field house a reality after years of dreaming and planning. And thank you for being a friend that listens to me as well as gave adviceā¦
Thanks to the opposing coaches who were mentors and family to meā¦ Sean Esker, Jeremy Poklemba, Doug Hamilton, Lance Peltier, and Jason Oertling. All are not just great opponents but amazing advice givers and friends off the pitchā¦ others like Glover and JB and Stephen Devine, so many many more friends off the pitch.
And to the parentsā¦
There simply arenāt enough words.
Rachel Hollier. Brent Hollier. Tony Vidrine. Jason Dronet. Angie Pitre. Paulette Sibille. Angela Champagne. The Courvilles. Donna Dupre. Glenn Brown.., Gretchen and Rivaā¦ Brad and Rebecca Smithā¦ The legendary 3M crew (Melissa, Menia, Melissa)ā¦ Leona DohmannāMrs. COPA herself. Lillian. Sylvia. Bryce Boone! Nina Barras. Jennifer Domengeaux. Ashley Hardgroder. Megan Hebert. So many many more I know Iām missing here but truly thank ALL of You!
And countless others.
You built this program every bit as much as I did.
Then there is one final thank you.
The most important one.
My wife, Carri Ann Vidrine.
For almost 27 years she has supported every crazy idea Iāve ever had.
She tolerated late nights, weekend tournaments, playoff runs, and countless hours spent away from home.
She helped run our restaurants while I chased a soccer dream.
She even became our bus driver when I couldnāt do it anymore.
She never complained.
She never asked for recognition.
She simply supported me.
I spent twenty years chasing a state championship.
I never quite got that trophy.
But I got something much more valuable.
I got her.
And that will always be the bigger win.
As I leave Beau Chene, I have one final request.
Please continue supporting soccer in St. Landry Parish.
Support Davon.
Support Jonny Meche.
Support Jean Bedel.
Support every coach trying to grow this game for our kids.
The future of soccer here depends on all of us working together.
Most importantly, continue supporting Beau Chene Futbol.
The program belongs to the players now.
And I have no doubt its best days are still ahead.
Thank you for allowing me to be your coach.
Thank you for allowing me to be part of your families.
Thank you for twenty unforgettable years.
No matter where life takes me, I will always be proud to say:
I am a Gator.
Forever.
šā½ā¤ļø
Coach Chad Vidrine
Beau Chene Futbol
2006ā2026
