Monica retires as St. Charles Catholic football coach; Stein named successor

Frank Monica, the head football coach and athletic director at St. Charles Catholic High School and a member of the 2019 Louisiana High School Sports Hall of Fame, has announced his retirement.

Monica, the winningest coach in the River Parishes, compiled a career record of 284-91.

Monica earned numerous honors during his tenure at St. Charles Catholic. In 2011, he was named Allstate Sugar Bowl Coach of the Year, and in 2016, he was named Outstanding Prep Coach for the entire state of Louisiana.  

In addition, Monica was selected by the New Orleans Saints to participate in the NFL/USA Youth Football Summit in Canton, Ohio, which gathers high school coaches from across the country, along with football league commissioners.  

At St. Charles Catholic, Monica's teams posted 12 semifinal appearances, six state championship appearances and a state championship in 2011. Before his arrival, the school had only one semifinal appearance.

Monica has always encouraged and inspired his athletes to excel both on the field and in the classroom and stressed core values in all of his coaching. 

"We have been blessed that Coach Monica has spent the last 24 years at St. Charles Catholic," the school said in a press release Monday. "What Frank Monica means to St. Charles Catholic High goes well beyond the field. He has served as a mentor and role model for scores of young athletes who have had the honor and privilege of playing for him."

The school announced that Wayne Stein, a 1999 graduate and the current defensive coordinator, will be the next athletic director and head football coach. Stein will also continue as the head baseball coach for as long as he feels he can fulfill all of these duties.  

As athletic director, Stein will be responsible for providing direction and coordination of all athletic events for grades 8-12.

"Wayne Stein consistently upholds and models a moral code which is consistent with the mission of SCC," the school said. "He ensures the development and enhancement of our faith community and the integration of faith in all aspects of the athletic programs/activities of the school."

Stein played football at the University of Louisiana from 1999-2003 and returned to coach both sports at his alma mater. In 2019, he led the baseball program to its first state championship title in Comet baseball history.