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2019 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 245
BY REPRESENTATIVES DUPLESSIS AND JIMMY HARRIS
A RESOLUTION
To express the condolences of the House of Representatives upon the death of Otis J.
"Coach" Washington, Jr.
WHEREAS, it is with deep regret and profound sadness that the members of the
Louisiana House of Representatives have learned of the death of coaching legend Otis J.
Washington, Jr., on May 24, 2019, at the age of eighty; and
WHEREAS, Otis J. Washington, Jr., was born to Otis, Sr., and Sadie Washington
in Selma, Alabama; he graduated from R.B. Hudson High School and Xavier University; he
was the captain of Xavier's last football team and garnered all-conference accolades in both
football and baseball; and
WHEREAS, upon graduating, he accepted a coaching position at St. Augustine High
School in New Orleans, where he coached for eighteen years and produced one of the state's
most successful coaching tenures; and
WHEREAS, "Coach Wash", as he was known, was the winningest coach in
St. Augustine football history; he served as head football coach at "St. Aug" from 1969 to
1979, winning seven district titles, three championships, and plenty of recognition in the
Louisiana football community; and
WHEREAS, he was a leader on and off the field; he preached discipline and
selflessness; during a time when acceptance came grudgingly, Coach Washington proudly
led an all-black powerhouse football program; he moved to coaching college football
thereafter; and
WHEREAS, in 1980, Coach Washington was the first black football coach at
Louisiana State University (LSU) and from 1981 to 1986, he was head football coach at
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Southern University in Baton Rouge; after stints as assistant coach at LSU and Tulane
University, he returned to New Orleans and served as the director of the New Orleans Police
Athletic League; and
WHEREAS, Coach Washington has been inducted into the Louisiana High School
Athletic Association Sports Hall of Fame, Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in Natchitoches,
New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame, Southern University Sports Hall of Fame, St. Augustine
High School Hall of Fame, and Xavier University Wall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, Coach Washington was also named an All-Southern Intercollegiate
Athletic Conference offensive guard and linebacker at Xavier University, a New Orleans
States-Item Coach of the Year, and honored with the Louisiana Sportswriters Association
Coach of the Year Award and the Louisiana National Association for the Advancement of
Colored People's Unsung Hero Award; and
WHEREAS, left to cherish his memory are his wife of nearly fifty-three years, Linda
P. Washington; siblings, Carol C. Black, Olivia Washington, Charlene W. Brown, Theopolis,
Sr., and his wife Jacqueline, Sharon D. Williams, and her husband Tyrone R., Sr., and Irma
Ruth McQueen; sisters-in-law, Isranell P. Thomas, Idell Jefferson, Audrey Patterson, and
Carolyn Patterson; brothers-in-law, Frank Patterson, Jeffery Patterson, Willie Patterson,
Lionel Patterson, and Terry Patterson; godchildren, Alfred E. Harrell, III, Talisha Davis, Erin
Burns, Don Bailey, and Alisha Moten; special "grandchildren", Hannah Kimbrough and
Angel Lydia Harrell; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends; and
WHEREAS, although the death of Coach Washington has left a tremendous void in
the Louisiana athletic community, and in the lives of his family, friends, and former students
and players, this uniquely gifted gentleman shall live forever in the minds, hearts, and
memories of all who knew and loved him.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express condolences upon the death of Otis J. "Coach"
Washington, Jr; does hereby recognize and record for posterity his singular contributions and
achievements, especially during his tenure as assistant and head coach for multiple football
programs; and does hereby express gratitude for the indelible mark that his enduring legacy
has left upon the state of Louisiana.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
family of Otis J. Washington, Jr.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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