By Ryan Arena

L’Observateur

RESERVE — East St. John High School Coach Larry Dauterive will be back on the field Friday when the Wildcats host St. James. Dauterive served a one-game suspension last Friday when his team traveled to Baton Rouge and defeated Istrouma, 33-14.

Dauterive was suspended by Superintendent Courtney Millet after a St. John resident alleged the coach used a racial slur against his team.

Through an investigation, Millet determined Dauterive did not use the slur toward his players after his team’s Aug. 28 jamboree game at home against St. Charles Catholic, but that he used the “N-word” while telling his players he heard opposing fans refer to them “acting” like such because of behavioral issues after the game’s conclusion.

“Now, it’s over, and we’ve put it behind us,” said parish school board member Russ Wise, who confirmed the suspension.

“From what I understand, it’s one of those things where boys will be boys, and the players weren’t pleased with a loss, throwing helmets and kicking things over,” Wise said. “Coach did as he should have done. He called them together and told them to cut out the unsportsmanlike behavior.”

Wise said he also felt Millet’s action was appropriate.

“I wouldn’t call it as much of a punishment as a reprimand,” Wise said. “But I believe it’s appropriate because, above all else, coaches are teachers, too. It wouldn’t be appropriate to use that kind of language in support of your argument in an English class, so that doesn’t change in the locker room.

“But it doesn’t mean that he did anything unforgivable. He just needed to be reprimanded to realize the error of his ways,” Wise added.

Dauterive, who is also athletic director at East St. John, has spent eight years as coach at the school.

Neither Millet nor Dauterive would comment on the suspension.