By GEORGE THOLE
March 3, 2011
Beau LaBore, who spent the past six seasons as the head football coach at Woodbury High School, has signed on to a similar position at SAHS. In fact, he will be the 19th to do so since 1915.
LaBore guided the Royals to a 26-33 record and was 1-6 in games against the Ponies of former coach Scott Hoffman (64-49). Their lone victory was a 48-7 thrashing of our beloved charges in 2008. The Royals were 9-2 that year with their only losses coming at the hands of Cretin-Derham Hall.
St. John's coaching icon John Gagliardi gave LaBore a five-star recommendation. The latter was a three-year starting linebacker and captain who led the Johnnies in tackles during a pair of MIAC title seasons.
LaBore also served as an assistant coach at South St. Paul and Hastings high schools.
"I want the opportunity to make the Stillwater program the most respected in Minnesota and also make my mark on this tradition-rich football program," LaBore said.
I talked with LaBore for two hours last Sunday and I can see what convinced Stillwater AD Ricky Michel to offer the former Royals coach the contract. He is very knowledgeable on football - which I know, because he has read "From Veer to Eternity" from cover to cover three times - and he is thrilled to be among us at beloved SAHS.
My spies in Woodbury tell me that he did a top-notch job building and working with the youth football development.
He impressed me as an interesting young man with a solid vision for Ponies football and appears to be a stand-up guy.
"I look forward to embracing the rich tradition of this legendary program," LaBore stated. Naturally, I applauded his choice of words.
I think the Ponies will do well with LaBore at the helm next fall and he knows that Hoffman left a few goodies in the cupboard. Yes, I told him that I'm with him win or tie, but since ties were eliminated in 1973 that really only leaves one option.
In closing, I think Beau is a good choice for the job and I hope that he can retain some of Hoffman's staff. He will be 32 years old in his first year as Ponies coach - the same age I was in 1971 when Karen, Eric, Kiersten and Moi arrived in happy valley. Nuff said. Go Ponies!!