By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

RESERVE – The committee assembled to find an athletic director and head football coach for East St. John High School has reached a decision.

When the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board meets Tuesday, they will vote on the recommendation of Phillip Banko to fill the vacancy.

Banko was a former defensive coordinator at East St. John and is now defensive coordinator at Ponchatoula High School. He has also spent time coaching for the University of Miami and the Cleveland Browns of the NFL.

The selection committee, consisting of Assistant Superintendent Herbert Smith, ESJ Principal Patricia Triche, Saints special teams coach and LaPlace resident Greg McMahon, community member Herbert Carter and Director of Human Resources Leigh Ann Beard, spent the past several weeks going through applications and interviewing candidates for the position. The initial group of 21 was first whittled to eight and ten to three. The other finalists for the position were ESJ Interim Athletic Director Ronald Barrilleaux and Donaldsonville High School head coach Terence Williams.

Should the School Board approve the recommendation, Banko will take the position last filled by Larry Dauterive, who resigned amidst controversy late last year.