NationalHSFootball.com – Dallas Jackson, NationalHSFootball.com
Legendary West Monroe (La.) High football coach Don Shows died Monday morning after battling health issues for the last several years.
Don Shows celebrating victory.
Photo Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.
The last state title for Shows and West Monroe was in 2011. His time spent on the sidelines had declined with his health as he suffered multiple strokes over the last five years with the most recent occurring in October.
A four-year string of appearances in the HSFB100, including two years in the Top 20, were good enough to push the Rebels to the No. 27 program during the HSFB100 era. The 2009 squad that beat an undefeated Metarie (La.) Archbishop Rummel team 30-0 would record its highest rating in the period by securing the No. 3 spot in the country that season.
Shows had said that the wanted to coach several more seasons — with a goal of reaching 50 years on the sidelines and 10 state championships. His final year of 2012 was his 49th and final on the sidelines.
The West Monroe program named its field after him and news of his passing has been met with sadness.
Hoover (Ala.) High athletic director Myra Miles said that the football community lost a gentleman while the West Monroe program mourns the man who built their brand the right way.
“I was able to spend time with him at our 7-on-7 event and grew to know him as a great man more than a great coach,” she said. “We spent time riding around on my golf cart as his health was starting to decline and I came away thinking at the time that he was such a gentleman.”
Social media reaction has spread the news as well.
Sorry to hear of the passing of Don Shows – a true Louisiana legend who impacted so many lives. Great man, great friend who will be missed.
— Les Miles (@LSUCoachMiles) March 3, 2014
Condolences and many prayers sent to the Shows and West Monroe family for the loss of coaching legend and man, Don Shows.
— John Curtis School (@Curtis_Patriots) March 3, 2014
