North Caddo’s Kavanaugh departs for South Louisiana coaching job

Jimmy Watson, Shreveport Times
·2 min read

Long time North Caddo coach and athletic director Johnny Kavanaugh, who coached some of the top talent in North Louisiana, is leaving the Class 2A Vivian school to head to Fontainebleau, a Class 5A school in Mandeville.

“I’m ready for a new challenge and the opportunity to take over the Fontainebleau program was too good to pass up,” Kavanaugh said. “My daughters will both be at LSU next year, so remaining close to them was also a huge plus.”

A 1990 Airline graduate, Kavanaugh played football for Sam Goodwin at Northwestern State for two seasons after walking on. He eventually graduated from LSUS with an undergraduate degree and from Centenary with a Master’s degree. He’ll leave a gap at North Caddo where he built the Titans into consistent winners behind athletes like KJ Black and Times Male Athlete of the Year Omarion Miller.

"Coach Kavanaugh has played a huge part of all the great things we have going on,” North Caddo principal Annie Cherry said. “While we are very sad to see him leave, we wish him well at Fontainebleau. This is a big decision for him, and we support him as he makes the transition.”

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North Caddo's Head Coach John Kavanaugh talks to his players during his game against Calvary.
North Caddo's Head Coach John Kavanaugh talks to his players during his game against Calvary.

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The Titans recently completed a 7-4 campaign after falling in the second round of the LHSAA Select Division II playoffs. His best season was in 2021 when the Titans were 9-3 and advanced to the LHSAA 2A playoffs. He was 33-22 overall and won district titles in 2019, 2020 and 2021. Kavanaugh served North Caddo since 2006 with the last five as head football coach.

Cherry said the job opening would soon be posted.

“And we look forward to seeing who applies,” she said. “The interview committee will be looking for the right person who will continue the direction that coach Kav has set us on.”

Kavanaugh was hired by Fontainebleau principal Nathan Corley who said he was excited about the selection after an “extensive search.”

“His coaching experience and his vision for our program have us all excited for the future of Fontainebleau football,” Corley said.

Kavanaugh will have his hands full building the Bulldogs into a winner. Fontainebleau has won just two games over the past three seasons.

Jimmy Watson covers Shreveport-Bossier area sports. Email him at jwatson@shreveporttimes.com and follow him on Twitter @JimmyWatson6.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Louisiana football: North Caddo's Kavanaugh leaves for Fontainebleau