Vige named Bobcat head coach

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When Paul Trosclair told Eunice High principal Mitch Fontenot about his decision to retire, the talk then moved to the future direction of the Bobcat football program.
“I talked to the superintendent and Coach Trosclair about the next steps,” Fontenot said. “It’s so late in summer and every thing is so crazy concerning the virus that I decided not open the position right now.
“We will open the position after the football season,” the coach said. “In the mean time I appointed Andre Vige to be the interim head football coach and Scott Phillips the interim athletic director.”
Johnny Bourque was the EHS head coach from 1979 to 1994 followed by Trosclair’s 25 years at the school.
“It is very rare that Eunice High has to go through this process,” Fontenot said. “It has been a long time since we had to do this.
“Vige had the best mentor around,” the principal said of his decision for the next head coach. “I have no doubt he is going to do an excellent job.
“I think the program is in great shape and I think it should be a smooth transition,” Trosclair said. “We have a really good team coming back and that’s important to give him a chance to be successful.
“He is the right guy for the job,” Trosclair said of Vige. “He played for Eunice High and is a Eunice Bobcat all the way.
“He bleeds green no doubt about it.”
Vige played quarterback for the Bobcats from 1993 to 1996 and then went on to UL Monroe from 1997 to 2001.
“It means a lot that they believe in me,” Vige said of his appointment. “I am looking forward to the next steps of the program.
“I know I have big shoes to fill following two legendary coaches,” he said. “When you have two coaches there for that length of time that means there is stability and success.”
Vige said it was an honor to both play for and coach with his mentor.
“It’s hard to put into words what he means to me,” Vige said of Trosclair.
“He has touched so many lives including mine.
“He was my coach, my mentor and my teacher,” Vige said. “He is a good friend and someone I look up to.
“I am humbled that he believes in me.” Vige said. “He molded me into the coach that I am today and I appreciate the investment he put in me.”
Vige joined the EHS staff in 2009 and became the offensive coordinator in 2015.
“He is a man of character and a leader of men,” Vige said of Trosclair. “He is a very positive person and he surrounded himself with good people which helped him have so much success over the years.
“We will miss him on the sidelines,” Vige said. “I will still look for his guidance.
“I am excited about the opportunity but at the same time I’m sad that Coach Trosclair is stepping down.”