Peloquin excited about future

It was a hard decision for Durell Peloquin, Jr. to leave Eunice High after 21 years.
But it was also an easy choice to become the new head football coach and athletic director at Oberlin.
Peloquin is returning to to family, friends and a school he once served as an assistant football coach.
“It was very hard to tell coach Tros (Paul Trosclair) and the track team girls that I was leaving,” Peloquin said. “But I am grateful to have a great mentor in Coach Trosclair.
“Coach Johnny Bourque hired me and Coach Trosclair nutured me into the direction that I am faced with now.
“I learned a lot from the man,” he added. “He taught character, integrity, loyalty, honesty, work ethic, sacrifice and a lot of life lessons.
“He is one of only 50 coaches with 200 career wins in the LHSAA and what better person to work with than an individual like him?”
The Kinder native who graduated from Reeves High School in 1984 will join his brother and sister on Oberlin High’s faculty.
Chad Peloquin is the school’s Ag teacher, and sister Natalie Montou is Oberlin’s Home Economics teacher.
His mother, Elaine, worked for the Allen Parish School Board for 20 years.
“I am going to get to spend a lot more quality family time over there, he said. “I am excited to be with them.”
Peloquin comes to Oberlin High from Eunice High where he served the last four years as the football team’s defensive coordinator.
Coach Peloquin graduated with a Bachelor in Science in Education from McNeese State University in 1990 and began his coaching career at Sacred Heart of Ville Platte in 1990-91 where he was an assistant football coach, assistant girls and boys basketball coach and head track coach.
He took his talents to Oberlin High from 1991-95 where he was an assistant football coach under head coach Ernie Bertrand, and was also the boys and girls track coach.
He joined former Oakdale High football coach Paul Trosclair at Eunice High in the fall of 1995 where the team played in two state championships in 1997-98, and was part of three undefeated regular season teams.
Peloquin was also the school’s track coach that captured seven district titles and eight parish track crowns. He coached 22 state champions in track.
He also coached Eunice High’s girls basketball team for one year and made the playoffs in 2013 after missing postseason play the past nine years.
Peloquin replaces Ronnie Simmons after the Tigers finished 5-7 overall last season.
“I am looking forward to the challenge,” Peloquin said of the football program.
“I want to restore the pride back into the Oberlin Tigers’ football,” he said. “We will always work hard to put the best foot foward as possible.”
Peloquin said he is excited about the future of the football team, which graduated just six seniors.
The coach said his football philosophy is “all about ball control. I want us to work hard in practice, be disciplined, be team oriented, control the football on offense, play hard-nosed defense and tackle well.”
He plans to use a wing-T offense – a “brother or sister to the double wing that Oberlin has used in recent years. We’ll have one wingback, a fullback, halfback, quarterback, tight end and split end. In certain situations we will run out of the spread and some play-action passing out of the wing-T.
Coach Peloquin plans to use the 4-2-5 McNeese defense.
“Accepting the role of head coach, I’d like to keep everything in place. I’m big on loyalty, character, hard work ethic and positive environment. I’m passionate about what I do. It’s all about the kids and watching them grow and succeed, teaching life lessons.”
He hopes to keep Oberlin’s current football staff intact.
Coach Peloquin’s resume includes serving as assistant coach in the Bayou Bowl that matches Louisiana and Texas all-stars in a post season game, and was also the head coach in 2009 for the Louisiana squad.
His only regret is that his father is not alive to watch him further his coaching career.
Durell Peloquin, Sr. was inducted the Louisiana High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 2008 - one year after he passed away following a massive heart attack. He coached at Reeves High School for 27 years and was in education for 40 years.
“My dad was a great influence, mentor and I idolized him,” Peloquin said. “I feel like I walked into his footsteps and that is my one wish that he could be here today to enjoy this opportunity with me.”
Mark Leibson of the Kinder Courier News contributed to this story.