Coach Lad: The Real Story of the Coach Portrayed in ‘When The Game Stands Tall’
In his 33 years at De La Salle High School in California, Bob “Coach Lad” Ladouceur became one of the most successful high school coaches in the nation. His 399-25-3 record ranks the most victories in California history, including 29 North Coast Section championships, 17 California State championships and the longest winning streak in the history of high school sports. Five different times, both USA Today and Fox Sports Net voted De La Salle the No. 1 team in the nation; the Spartans finished in the Top 20 every year for the past two decades.
Three times USA Today named Coach Lad National High School Coach of the Year. He was the first NFL National High School Coach of the Year, from among 1,200 nominees. In 2011, he was inducted into the Federation of State High School Associations Hall of Fame.
Under Coach Lad’s leadership, De La Salle posted win streaks of 34, 44 and 151 games–the latter a national record. More than 80 of Coach Lad’s players received college scholarships; 10 went on to play in the NFL.
Interestingly, Coach Lad’s coaching philosophy and style have remained practical and down to earth. He stresses superior physical conditioning, mastery of football basics, and total commitment to team success, and he’s known for translating lessons from football into daily life. His ability to instill the fundamentals of the sport showed clearly as his players consistently outperformed teams that far outsized them.
Bob first joined the De La Salle school staff as a full-time religious studies teacher, an assignment he held throughout his coaching years and continues today in the wake of his remarkable coaching career.
Check out When The Game Stands Tall in theaters today.
Post sponsored by When the Game Stands Tall