MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / Febuary 3, 1999

LAPLACE – Two coaches with River Parishes ties have been mentioned in connection with the head coaching position at Nicholls State University.

Former Destrehan High School head football coach Tim Rebowe and St.

Charles Catholic head baseball coach Frank Monica are among those that have mentioned as possible candidates to replace Darren Barbier. Barbier,who went to Nicholls State from Hahnville High School, recently left to become the defensive backfield coach at Tulane.

Rebowe was named the interim head coach after Barbier left. He coachedthe Colonels’ defensive backs for four years and the special teams for three years. In 1996, the Colonels ranked seventh in the nation in passdefense under Rebowe.

Prior to going to Nicholls State, Rebowe compiled a 26-11 record at Destrehan, leading the 1993 team to the Class 5A state championship game against West Monroe. Before becoming head football coach, he servedas head baseball coach and assistant football coach.

Rebowe and offensive coordinator Mitch Rodrigue are the two members from the prior staff to apply for the job. Athletic Director StanWilliamson said he has talked to a lot of people about Monica but could not comment further.

Monica played baseball for Nicholls State in the late 1960s and early 1970s before becoming a coach at Lutcher High School. He guided theBulldogs to the state baseball championship in 1975 and was the offensive coordinator for the state championship football team that same year. Ashead football coach in 1978, he again led the Bulldogs to the state title.

Monica left Lutcher for Tulane the following year and served on the staffs of Larry Smith and Vince Gibson. He then went on to lead Riverside to astate championship in the Louisiana Independent Schools Association before becoming head coach at Jesuit.

Monica returned to Tulane and served at times as assistant coach for running backs, special teams, tackles and tight ends and recruiting under Greg Davis and Buddy Teevens. He also served two years as offensivecoordinator. He returned to the River Parishes in 1997, leading St. CharlesCatholic to the Class 2A state championship game in baseball in 1998.

“There are not many opportunities to become a head coach in college and this is one of them,” Monica said in confirming he had applied for the opening Thursday afternoon.

Williamson said college coaching experience is not paramount but important. He said he still would like to be able to recruit the local areaand that the coach must also be able to work with external relationships and put academics at the forefront.

Williamson was to meet with the interviewing committee this past Thursday. He said he would like to have all interviews conducted by Feb.22 with the commitee recommending three candidates. He will pick one torecommend to the school president and would like to have a coach in place by March 1.

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