HLS 19RS-3296 ORIGINAL
2019 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 245
BY REPRESENTATIVES DUPLESSIS AND JIMMY HARRIS
CONDOLENCES: Expresses condolences on the death of Otis J. "Coach" Washington, Jr.
1 A RESOLUTION
2To express the condolences of the House of Representatives upon the death of Otis J.
3 "Coach" Washington, Jr.
4 WHEREAS, it is with deep regret and profound sadness that the members of the
5Louisiana House of Representatives have learned of the death of coaching legend Otis J.
6Washington, Jr., on May 24, 2019, at the age of eighty; and
7 WHEREAS, Otis J. Washington, Jr., was born to Otis, Sr., and Sadie Washington
8in Selma, Alabama; he graduated from R.B. Hudson High School and Xavier University; he
9was the captain of Xavier's last football team and garnered all-conference accolades in both
10football and baseball; and
11 WHEREAS, upon graduating, he accepted a coaching position at St. Augustine High
12School in New Orleans, where he coached for eighteen years and produced one of the state's
13most successful coaching tenures; and
14 WHEREAS, "Coach Wash", as he was known, was the winningest coach in
15St. Augustine football history; he served as head football coach at "St. Aug" from 1969 to
161979, winning seven district titles, three championships, and plenty of recognition in the
17Louisiana football community; and
18 WHEREAS, he was a leader on and off the field; he preached discipline and
19selflessness; during a time when acceptance came grudgingly, Coach Washington proudly
20led an all-black powerhouse football program; he moved to coaching college football
21thereafter; and
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HR NO. 245
1 WHEREAS, in 1980, Coach Washington was the first black football coach at
2Louisiana State University (LSU) and from 1981 to 1986, he was head football coach at
3Southern University in Baton Rouge; after stints as assistant coach at LSU and Tulane
4University, he returned to New Orleans and served as the director of the New Orleans Police
5Athletic League; and
6 WHEREAS, Coach Washington has been inducted into the Louisiana High School
7Athletic Association Sports Hall of Fame, Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in Natchitoches,
8New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame, Southern University Sports Hall of Fame, St. Augustine
9High School Hall of Fame, and Xavier University Wall of Fame; and
10 WHEREAS, Coach Washington was also named an All-Southern Intercollegiate
11Athletic Conference offensive guard and linebacker at Xavier University, a New Orleans
12States-Item Coach of the Year, and honored with the Louisiana Sportswriters Association
13Coach of the Year Award and the Louisiana National Association for the Advancement of
14Colored People's Unsung Hero Award; and
15 WHEREAS, left to cherish his memory are his wife of nearly fifty-three years, Linda
16P. Washington; siblings, Carol C. Black, Olivia Washington, Charlene W. Brown, Theopolis,
17Sr., and his wife Jacqueline, Sharon D. Williams, and her husband Tyrone R., Sr., and Irma
18Ruth McQueen; sisters-in-law, Isranell P. Thomas, Idell Jefferson, Audrey Patterson, and
19Carolyn Patterson; brothers-in-law, Frank Patterson, Jeffery Patterson, Willie Patterson,
20Lionel Patterson, and Terry Patterson; godchildren, Alfred E. Harrell, III, Talisha Davis, Erin
21Burns, Don Bailey, and Alisha Moten; special "grandchildren", Hannah Kimbrough and
22Angel Lydia Harrell; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends; and
23 WHEREAS, although the death of Coach Washington has left a tremendous void in
24the Louisiana athletic community, and in the lives of his family, friends, and former students
25and players, this uniquely gifted gentleman shall live forever in the minds, hearts, and
26memories of all who knew and loved him.
27 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
28Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express condolences upon the death of Otis J. "Coach"
29Washington, Jr; does hereby recognize and record for posterity his singular contributions and
30achievements, especially during his tenure as assistant and head coach for multiple football
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HR NO. 245
1programs; and does hereby express gratitude for the indelible mark that his enduring legacy
2has left upon the state of Louisiana.
3 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
4family of Otis J. Washington, Jr.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HR 245 Original 2019 Regular Session Duplessis
Expresses condolences of the House of Representatives on the death of Otis J. "Coach"
Washington, Jr.
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