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LAPLACE — Coach Frank Monica, a River Parishes legend who retired in 2021, is adding another hall of fame induction to his long list of accomplishments.

Monica is one of four 2023 inductees selected for the All State Sugar Bowl’s Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame. A banquet and reception will be held August 5 on the Caesar’s Superdome property.

The Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame was created in 1971 and has thus far honored 251 prominent sports figures with ties to the New Orleans region. Inductees may be associated with high school, college, professional or amateur sports. The annual Hall of Fame class is selected by volunteers on the Greater New Orleans Sports Awards Committee, a group that has met monthly to celebrate achievements in athletics for more than five decades.

Monica has previously been inducted into the Louisiana High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame. He has been named the “winningest coach in the River Parishes” with a career record of 284 wins and 91 losses. Some of Monica’s other accolades include being named the Allstate Sugar Bowl Coach of the Year and being named Outstanding Prep Coach for the entire state of Louisiana.

Monica said the Hall of Fame selection was a pleasant surprise that would not have been possible without all of the support he has received from his family, previous players, coaches and principals throughout his coaching journey.

“It’s quite an honor. I’m very humbled because there are a lot of other people who they could have selected for that,” he said. “I’m very appreciative of them for thinking so much of me.”

Much of Monica’s career was spent as head football coach and athletic director at St. Charles Catholic High School in LaPlace. Since retiring two years ago, Monica has started his own sports podcast called “Let’s be Frank.” He manages to keep his days busy; this summer, he assisted with a 9-10 baseball group.

“I’ve done some hunting and some gardening. I attend as many games as I can because my grandsons are all playing,” Monica said.

It’s also been rewarding for him to keep up with St. Charles Catholic’s athletic programs. Since his retirement, the Comets have claimed back-to-back championships in both football and baseball, two sports Monica is very familiar with.

“It’s been tremendous to watch my nephew Wayne Stein and my son Ty Monica and the rest of the staff. I would like to think we’ve laid some groundwork and they’ve capitalized on that groundwork. All the work has paid off now because there is a whole lot of work behind the scenes,” he said.

Monica’s other son, Nicholas, has also followed in his footsteps as the head coach of the Rummel High School football team. Even though Monica never encouraged his children to go into coaching, he can’t help but be proud when he sees them on thefield.

The Greater New Orleans Sports Awards Committee is announcing this year’s award recipients in a number of categories through July 28.

All current members of the Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame can be viewed at allstatesugarbowl.org/sports/2022/4/7/greater-new-orleans-sports-hall-of-fame.aspx