St. Stanislaus finds new head football coach from within the program
St. Stanislaus didn’t go far to find its next head football coach.
The school announced Tate Thigpen as its ninth head coach this century, taking over for Tim Lala, who resigned following one season at the helm in 2023.
Thigpen served as the Rock-a-Chaws’ offensive coordinator last season under Lala, and helped develop Sun Herald Player of the Year Ian Gael Gonzalez Rioz at quarterback.
St. Stanislaus scored 31.1 points per game en route to earning its first district title since 2016.
“Coach Thigpen was a great addition to our staff and I am confident he will continue the high standards Coach Lala set while he was with us,” Principal Gary Blackburn said in a press release.
Thigpen will be the program’s third head coach in as many years. The coach arrived in Bay St. Louis from Sabastopol where he also served as offensive coordinator. Thigpen’s only prior head coaching experience came at Glencliff in Tennessee, where the Colts were 2-18 over two seasons.
“I am honored that Saint Stanislaus has offered me the opportunity to serve the school as head football coach, and I look forward to working with the faculty, staff and administrators at the school to continue building on the amazing level of achievement we reached this past season, both on and off the field,” Thigpen said.
