Sid Edwards, a coach, teacher, and father who is known not only for his knowledge and wisdom of the game but also his ability to instill spirit and zeal in his players, has been appointed Head Football Coach for the Jesuit Blue Jays.

Coach Edwards will join Jesuit’s faculty near the end of the current semester, in time to hold spring training for the 2006 Blue Jay team. He will complete his current teaching and coaching responsibilities at Central High in Baton Rouge. Edwards takes the place of Coach Vic Eumont who left Jesuit to coach and teach in California where his two grown daughters reside.

“Jesuit is delighted that Coach Edwards will lead our football program,” said Frank Misuraca, Jesuit’s athletic director. “He is a professional and a role model for the type of players Jesuit likes to put on the football field.”

Edwards, who met with the players for the first time Thursday afternoon before being interviewed by New Orleans news media, said he is extremely humbled about taking the reigns of Jesuit’s football program.

“This is a dream come true for me,” said Edwards, adding that Jesuit is a “very special place where I will do my best to contribute to the development of our Blue Jays. I believe that my philosophy on coaching, and life itself, is closely aligned with the Jesuit principles espoused by St. Ignatius of Loyola.”

Jesuit’s principal, Mike Giambelluca, noted that Edwards exhibits a demeanor and temperament on and off the field that were important criteria in his being selected to lead the football program.

“Sid knows football, but most importantly, he believes that football is a vehicle to help young men learn about life,” said Giambelluca, adding that Edwards is “the perfect fit for coaching the Blue Jays. Sid is a man of faith, a man who will serve as a role model to our student-athletes about what it means to be men of faith.”

A native of Baton Rouge, Edwards graduated from Redemptorist High School and received his undergraduate degree in general studies from Nicholls State University. He has held teaching and coaching positions at several schools, but Edwards’ tenure as head coach at his alma mater, Redemptorist, stands out.

While head coach from 1997-2004 at Redemptorist, Edwards compiled a 75-25 record and won two state championships.

Edwards and his wife, Maureen, have four children. They will move to New Orleans in early summer.