Jesuit has named Scott Bairnsfather as its next athletic director following a national search that drew candidates from coast to coast and included interviews with leaders from multiple states, Catholic schools, independent schools, and public-school athletic programs.

Bairnsfather brings decades of experience as a Catholic educator, coach, and athletic administrator. Since joining Jesuit in 2017, he has served as a teacher, department chair, assistant athletic director, and football coach. In his current role, he has managed athletic scheduling and logistics, coordinated budgets, and worked closely with coaches across Jesuit’s athletic program.

“Coach Bairnsfather has earned the respect of our coaches because he understands their work, supports their programs, and holds himself to the same standards he expects of others,” said Jesuit principal Dr. Jeremy Reuther ’01. “He knows the Catholic League, he knows the LHSAA, and he knows Jesuit. Most importantly, he understands that athletics here must serve the formation of our students. I couldn’t be more excited for the future of Jesuit athletics.”

Before coming to Carrollton & Banks, Bairnsfather served as a teacher and head football coach at Archbishop Shaw, his alma mater, and Holy Cross, giving him extensive experience in the Catholic League and with the Louisiana High School Athletic Association. His years in Catholic education have shaped his understanding of athletics as part of a school’s larger mission: forming young men for others through discipline, accountability, sacrifice, resilience, and teamwork. Bairnsfather holds a Bachelor of Science in physical education from the University of New Orleans.

As athletic director, Bairnsfather will be charged with preserving Jesuit’s athletic traditions while strengthening the school’s long-term developmental model for student-athletes. His priorities will include supporting coaches, sustaining programs rooted in character formation, expanding opportunities for student development, and building up more comprehensive programming, such as the school’s strength and conditioning program, across Jesuit athletics.

Jesuit’s athletic tradition has long emphasized competition as a means of formation. Under Bairnsfather’s leadership, the school will continue to pursue that 179-year-old spirit for every student-athlete and every Blue Jay.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve Jesuit in this role,” Bairnsfather said. “Our coaches care deeply about our students, and I look forward to supporting them as we continue building programs that develop young men for others. Jesuit athletics has a proud history, and our responsibility is to honor that history by developing each student into the man that God made him to be.”

Longtime coach, teacher, and athletic director David Moreau will assume the role of emeritus athletic director, ensuring a successful transition. Jonathan Orillion ’01 will step into the assistant athletic director role in the fall as well.