Hanson hires former Blue Jay coach Creamer

FRANKLIN – The time is now – that is how former St. Edmund assistant football coach Dale Creamer explained his hiring as head football coach at Hanson Memorial.
Creamer is replacing Brett Blakey, who left to become the offensive corridinator at Lafayette High.
Creamer spent two seasons as the offensive line coach with the Blue Jays and former head coach Thomas David as St. Edmund captured the 2014 District 5-1A title.
“I am proud that we won district while I was part of Coach David’s staff when we won district.
“They worked very hard to achieve that championship.”
He left St. Edmund in February for a brief stint with the St. Landry Parish Sheriffs Department and it was there Creamer reaffirmed his calling to be a coach.
“I saw young people already stuck in the crimminal system,” he said. “I want to see kids not take that path.
“I want to help kids achieve something in life in a positive way.”
Creamer, 52, said his return to high school athletics was not by accident, but rather a part of his life’s journey.
Creamer’s father Douglas was coaching at Elton when the Indians finished as the Class A state-runner’s up.
“He was a big influence on my life,” Creamer said. “But I have been blessed to be around great men all my life.”
Creamer graduated from Airline High in 1982 and went to Arkansas-Monticello, Bossier Community Collge and then graduated from Louisiana Tech.
His 24-year coaching career has included Quitman, Merryville, Leesville, Evangel Christian, Riverdale (Coushatta), Calvary Baptist and St. Edmund.
He also was a volunteer basketball coach at Bossier Parish Community College and Centenary College,
Creamer, a deeply religious person, said it is God who opened the door at Hanson.
“I feel God put me here to teach and work with young people,” he said. “I want to make a difference in their lives.
Creamer’s team started the off-season workouts on Tuesday and he said he is excited about his first season as a head football coach.
“They won a state championship in 1976,” the coach said. “It may be time for another one.”