Mike Labourdette’s second stint as head football coach at Pearl River is over after one season.
Labourdette told Crescent City Sports’ Ken Trahan on Tuesday afternoon that he was stepping down.
“We raised the bar,” said Labourdette, who joined a program six seasons ago that had won five games overall in its previous five seasons and has multiplied that win total sixfold since 2016. “J did everything I could do.”
This season, Pearl River finished 4-6 and made its sixth straight playoff appearance.
Labourdette, who previously served as head coach in 2016 and 2017, went 13-18 in three seasons as head coach with the Rebels. In between head coaching stints, he also served as defensive coordinator for three years under Joe Harris – who, coincidentally, also served as Rebels head coach twice.
“There are a lot of things that are better. We have 17 (juniors) returning and 23 sophomores,” Labourdette said. “It’s time for someone new to try their luck.”
Labourdette served as head coach or assistant coach on eight of Pearl River’s 12 teams to reach the playoffs.
He said he will talk to administration about staying on staff for the rest of the school year and coaching athletics.
“It’s just time to move on,” said Labourdette, who expressed his gratitude to former basketball coach, athletic director and principal John Priola for bringing him to Pearl River.