Curtis has transcended critics in pursuit of No. 500

   I admit it. I sit next to a lightning rod on Friday nights during the high school football season.
    And, because of my television relationship with J.T. Curtis for 20 seasons, I get an earful about the coach and his program.
    As Curtis approaches his 500th win, I think back to the ’80s.
    Back then, coach and I talked about doing a football show together. I wanted J.T. for several reasons. Sure, he was already a big winner. But more importantly, he was a football coach who would make a commitment to 15 Friday nights a year. Often, especially when our program aired at 10:30 p.m., not 11:02 p.m. as it does today, J.T. would get a police escort down to the station.
    He would hustle to the restroom, and change from his coaching shorts to a suit and tie. Not many coaches would make that kind of commitment.
    And, then when the camera came on, he could make his point in 15 or 20 seconds, something that is a must on TV.
    And, I needed someone who provided continuity for what we were trying to do. In the early years, I got a lot of flak from folks in the high school community about choosing J.T. Curtis. My motives were purely selfish. I wanted the TV show to work.
    On a regular basis, I hear from many how Curtis has consistently violated LHSAA rules. It is only a matter of time, they say, before the Louisiana High School Athletic Association “lowers the boom” on Curtis.
    I can tell you this, for sure. J.T. Curtis has heard these things before, and they motivate him and his entire staff.
    And, few staffs work harder. A favorite T-shirt making the rounds at Curtis is this one: “Curtis football, there is no off-season.”
    Curtis connects with players, even those who aren’t superstars (apparently many of those just walk around campus). He doesn’t cut players. He puts them on a weight and running program to try and develop not only players, but people. Many times, an adult has come up to me to tell me they played at Curtis. They tell me because of what they learned from J.T. they are better people.
    For any coach, that is the ultimate testimonial.
    Curtis hates to lose but is a gracious loser. I will never forget seeing him and former Salmen coach Bill Stubbs at a Christmas party thrown by Bill and his wife, Christie. It was after Salmen had beaten Curtis in the 2000 4A state championship game.
    I think Stubbs, who had won his third title, understood that once you win big, skepticism about how you win multiplies.
    He’s won because of maddening consistency. His coordinators, his brother Leon (defense) and Mike Robertson (offense), have been with him for years.
    He’s won because he is authentic. Kids can spot a phony a mile away.
    And, he’s won because, unlike many of the outstanding football coaches I know in south Louisiana, he faces zero interference from the school administration.
    I could write a book on the stories coaches have told me about how difficult their sporting lives were made by administrators at their school or school board. But that isn’t Curtis’ problem. “500” will be speed bump on the way to a bigger number.
    Ed Daniels is sports director of ABC26 WGNO. He can be reached at [email protected].