Representatives from the New Orleans Saints honored Coach Clifford C. Paul of the Jeanerette Tigers as Coach of the Week for the team’s excellent performance this season.

The Jeanerette Tigers closed the season off with an 8-2 record, and earned the No. 5 seed for the Non-Select Division IV. This is the second-best record in Jeanerette Tiger history.

Saints youth sports development associate Ahmad Jones surprised Paul with the honor during what Paul thought was a Saints-led training session for his team. Jones introduced the award by explaining to the team how much time their coaches dedicated to improving the team as much as they can.

“It means so much more than just football. It teaches adversity, how to get up when you get knocked down,” Jones said. “Each and every one of your coaches understand. This is why they are out here everyday taking time away from their families, time away from the things they could be doing because they have a love, and they have a love for each and every one of ya’ll out here.”

This is Paul’s fifth year coaching the team, and he recently received an honor as District Coach of the Year. Last year, he brought the team to earn a 6-5 record and hosted their first ever home game in the playoffs. According to Paul, achieving these accomplishments required the effort and cooperation of the whole team, including his coaching staff.

“I’m ecstatic man! I’m proud! I have a great coaching staff and I have a great group of kids. If it wasn’t for them, none of this would happen,” Paul said.

The Saints started this surprise tradition last year, according to Saints youth football development manager, Austin Pasco, because he used to simply call the coaches and schedule a “ceremony” but wanted to make it a little more special. By winning the honor, the Saints will also provide the football program $1000.

“Dude, we missed that opportunity, right, like now we get to see that beautiful face smiling and laughing,” Pasco said.

According to Paul, the major difference that propelled the team so far this year was his Senior leadership. He is proud of their performance and their willingness to support their teammates.

“Matter of fact, when we lost to Vermilion Catholic, the seniors stepped in to say, you know what, our season is not over. You know, we lost to the best team in the state of Louisiana, so we cannot beat ourselves up and we have to shake back, and that’s what we did,” Paul said.

Coach Paul wasn’t just excited about the honor, but the buzz around the team. To him, these honors and achievements are made possible by the school’s new principal, Racquelle Roberts.

“It’s been a long time since we had excitement like this in Jeanerette, man, but that’s our new principal. She gave us every opportunity to be successful,” Paul said.

Coach Paul said he was impressed by the amount of community support shown, especially among his Jeanerette High School Alumni peers.

“Because I’m a Jeanerette Alumni, a lot of my classmates and former teammates are the ones who’s pushing to come back and support these kids. These kids are doing something special,” Paul concluded.

The Jeanerette Tigers will face the No. 28 seed West St. John Rams at Jeanerette High in the first round of playoffs Friday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m.