Courtesy report
Ruston High head football coach Jerrod Baugh will be one of three honored at the National Football Foundation S.M. McNaughton Chapter’s annual North Louisiana Scholar-Athlete Awards Banquet on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025.
Baugh will receive the chapter’s North Louisiana High School Football Coach of the Year award, which is only presented occasionally for extraordinary merit. Selections are made by the McNaughton Chapter’s board of directors.
Baugh is being honored for his superior abilities in coaching, sportsmanship, integrity and character in amateur football. This country is marked with remarkable individuals who work tirelessly out of pure love for the game and a desire to help youth play it well and Baugh exemplifies that model.
Baugh has led the Ruston football program back among the state’s best since taking over as the Bearcats’ head coach in 2016. They have played in the LHSAA Division I Non-Select state championship game each of the past two seasons, winning in 2023, and have been highly-ranked in the LSWA’s Class 5A top 10 poll and the LHSAA’s power rankings throughout his tenure.
Baugh’s Bearcats program has produced many college football competitors and he has generated tremendous community involvement and support for the program and school, and impressive facility upgrades. His remarkable personal story of overcoming adversity has been an inspiration for all who encounter him.
The coach of the year honor was last presented to three-time state champion Jess Curtis of Many High School in 2022, and previously to Jason Brotherton of Haughton and Bo Meeks of Airline in recent years.
Also receiving awards will be Shreveport businesswoman Toni Goodin as the chapter’s 2025 Distinguished American award winner, and retired West Monroe High School athletic administrator James Remedies will be presented with the Contribution to Amateur Football honor.
The trio will join the Class of 2025 high school football scholar-athletes as the featured guests at Shreveport’s East Ridge Country Club for the chapter’s annual awards banquet. Reservations are available through next Thursday morning, Feb. 13.
The elite seniors are Cole Cory of North DeSoto; Carter Doyal, Loyola College Prep; Jaydan Gladney, Airline; Sam Greer, C.E. Byrd; Landon Hall, Cedar Creek; Christian McGuire, Jonesboro-Hodge; Cooper Russell – Ouachita Christian; Parker Todd, West Monroe; and Abram Wardell of Calvary Baptist Academy.
