Saints Honor WCA’s Porter
BOBBY ARDOIN
St. Landry Now.com Editor
The pervasive impact that Byron Porter has made on the Westminster Christian Academy football program is apparently gaining statewide recognition and attention from at least one National Football League organization.
Porter was recognized on Thursday morning as the New Orleans Saints Week 5 Coach of The Week during a brief ceremony held at the WCA gymnasium.
Austin Paco, the Saints’ senior manager for youth sports development, revealed the honor for Porter, who was surrounded by his players and assistant coaches.
“I’m totally overwhelmed and humbled,” Porter said, following the announcement and applause from his players.
Westminster began Week 6 as the only undefeated team in St. Landry Parish in addition to being ranked No. 10 in the recent Louisiana Sports Writers Association weekly poll.
Pasco however said that Saints’ officials felt that there is more to the story about the leadership and direction that Porter has created for the program.
“When we consider our coach of the week awards, we pay close attention to not only the records, but we look at what he has done to create the right type of culture and the respect that he has not only with his players, but with assistants and his peers,” Pasco said.
Pasco said when examining the role Porter has played in redirecting a WCA program that had a 2-8 record in 2023, they also checked further around Louisiana to obtain a broader profile before selecting a coach of the week.
“We make phone calls around the state, talking to other coaches in addition to those inside the Louisiana High School Association. After some serious consideration, we make our selections,” Pasco said.
Pasco said the Saints were intrigued by the difference Porter has made at a school with about 400 students as well as the players in his program and assistants who have evidently responded positively to Porter’s leadership.
The Saints have also found it interesting, Pasco said, that Brandon Porter, the son of Byron Porter, has also played a key assistant coach’s role in moving the WCA football program forward.
“This is also a total surprise for me. I just hope we can stay focused now. It’s a great honor, but it’s been more than one person that shares this. We have a number of good players here and coaches who have put their trust in me and have helped build a foundation for me to have this kind of success,” Porter said.
Pasco said the Saints’ organization recently decided to initiate a broader outreach for selecting a coach of the week.
“We decided to go to other schools in the area and beyond the New Orleans and Baton Rouge areas,” said Pasco.
Pasco said Porter will be invited to New Orleans at the end of the season for another ceremony where he will receive an autographed Saints’ football and other awards.
