SLS 23RS-434 ORIGINAL
2023 Regular Session
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 6
BY SENATORS MORRIS, CATHEY AND JACKSON
COMMENDATIONS. Commends Jerry Arledge on the occasion of his retirement as West
Monroe High School head football coach.
1 A RESOLUTION
2 To commend and congratulate Coach Jerry Arledge on his extraordinary career and
3 accomplishments, and for the distinction and honor he has brought to West Monroe
4 and to Louisiana, on the occasion of his retirement as head coach of the West
5 Monroe Rebels football team.
6 WHEREAS, it is with great pride and appreciation that the Senate of the Legislature
7 of Louisiana recognizes the achievements of Jerry Arledge, one of the most successful and
8 honored coaches in the history of West Monroe football; and
9 WHEREAS, Coach Arledge, who has been a mainstay at West Monroe High School
10 over the last three decades, will retire as head football coach but remain to serve as the
11 school's athletic director; and
12 WHEREAS, he grew up in Oil City, Louisiana, graduated from North Caddo High
13 School, and went on to earn a degree in Health and Physical Education from Louisiana Tech
14 in 1964; and
15 WHEREAS, Jerry's love of football from an early age continued at Louisiana Tech
16 University, where he played both linebacker and offensive guard in the days when players
17 routinely switched between offense and defense, excelling in both positions; and
18 WHEREAS, his commitment to the game ultimately led him to the campus of West
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1 Monroe High School in 1992, where he served as the defensive coordinator for the 1993
2 state championship team and distinguished himself in that position under the late, great Don
3 Shows for a decade, including eight state championship teams; and
4 WHEREAS, he was considered one of the top defensive coordinators in Louisiana
5 as well as the nation; and
6 WHEREAS, Jerry was named head coach of the Rebels in 2013 upon the passing of
7 Coach Shows; and
8 WHEREAS, he led the Rebels to nine district championships and two state
9 championship game appearances, in 2016 and 2018, compiling an incredible 104-22-1
10 record as head coach; and
11 WHEREAS, during Coach Arledge's tenure, the Rebels only allowed an average of
12 13.2 points per game and had sixty-six shutouts; and
13 WHEREAS, his exemplary coaching has produced outstanding players and helped
14 to cultivate new careers for those players in the ranks of college and professional football;
15 and
16 WHEREAS, Coach Arledge orchestrated a number of improvements to the West
17 Monroe High School facilities, including the current stadium, scoreboard, and the addition
18 of the practice facility; and
19 WHEREAS, he was honored by the National Football Foundation and College Hall
20 of Fame in 2021 for his contributions to amateur football, having worked with unflagging
21 vitality out of pure love for the game and a desire to help students play it well; and
22 WHEREAS, Coach Arledge has made an incalculable impact on the success of West
23 Monroe athletics, and as stated by West Monroe High School principal Shelby Ainsworth,
24 "Coach Arledge has tirelessly coached decades of athletes, shared his coaching wisdom with
25 countless coaches, and constructed relentless defenses that are still discussed today. We are
26 grateful for the time and effort that he has poured into our student athletes and this program.
27 His successful record is only one measure of his success. The true impact that Coach
28 Arledge has had in the lives of our student athletes, as well as on the game of football, is
29 immeasurable"; and
30 WHEREAS, he has proved himself to be a leader of the highest caliber, a catalyst
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1 who motivates young athletes to work together, to exceed personal expectations, to attempt
2 seemingly unattainable goals, to demonstrate an exceptional competitive nature and esprit
3 de corps, and to perform as a team made of many cohesive parts; and
4 WHEREAS, Coach Arledge shall remain an enduring figure in West Monroe sports,
5 his community, and his state for many years to come.
6 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
7 does hereby commend and congratulate Jerry Arledge upon his retirement as head coach of
8 the West Monroe Rebels football team, and does hereby express to him its enduring
9 appreciation for his extraordinary leadership, and for the honor and distinction that he has
10 brought to his team, to West Monroe, and to the state of Louisiana.
11 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana does
12 hereby wish Coach Arledge every success as athletic director for West Monroe High School,
13 and in all his future endeavors.
14 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
15 Coach Jerry Arledge.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Alden A. Clement Jr.
DIGEST
SR 6 Original 2023 Regular Session Morris
Commends Jerry Arledge upon the occasion of his retirement as head football coach of the
West Monroe High School Rebels.
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