Jim Hightower, Head Coach
Coach Hightower is the 2nd winningest active coach in the state of Louisiana with over 400 wins and 6 state championships, Hightower spent most of his career at St. Thomas More, as a head coach. First season as head coach was in 1986. During that time, he has generated 36 straight playoff appearances, in addition to 26 district championships and 5 state championships in 2016 and 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2023. Prior to STM, he was the head football and baseball coach of Catholic High Pointe Coupee leading their football program to a state championship in 1978 and the baseball team to a state championship in 1986. Graduated from South Pasadena High School. Went on to play football and baseball at the University of California Davis. Eventually would get his undergraduate degree from the University of California Davis and a Master’s degree from Louisiana State University. In 2016, Hightower was inducted into the 2016 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and in 2022 was inducted into the LHSAA Hall of Fame.  Jim was married to the late Kathleen March, and has two children (Joanie and John '01).

Terry Tidwell, Linebackers, Defensive Coordinator
Terry Tidwell has spent 43 years St. Thomas More. Prior to STM, he was the Offensive Line coach at the University of Southwestern Louisiana from 1976-1979 and the football and track Assistant Coach at Cathedral Carmel from 1970-1982. Tidwell graduated from Lafayette High School in Lafayette, LA. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Southwestern Louisiana. Terry was married to the late Sandra Ruston, and has two children (Danny ’98 and Jake’03).

David Leblanc, Offensive Line/ Strength
David Lebanc has coached for St. Thomas More since 1995. Leblanc graduated from Acadiana High School in Lafayette, LA. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Southwestern Louisiana. Leblanc is Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) by the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Married to the former Amy Fournet, and has two children (Luke '18 and Andre '21).

Corey Arceneaux, Defensive Tackles
Corey Arceneaux has coached for St. Thomas More since 1999. Arceneaux graduated from Acadiana High School in Lafayette, LA. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Southwestern Louisiana. Married to the former Stephanie Shally, and has three children (Brittany, Brock, and Allie).

Shane Savoie '95, Offensive Coordinator/ Quarterbacks
Shane Savoie has coached for St. Thomas More since 2003. Savoie is a St. Thomas More alumni from the class of 1995. Prior to STM, he spend 4 seasons as the Offensive Coordinator at Farmington High School (Farmington, AR). He went on to play for McNeese State University from 1995-96 and Arkansas Tech from 1997-99. He earned his undergraduate degree from Arkansas Tech University in 2000. Savoie is a master certified instructor for The Quarterback Academy. Married to the former Cristy Nutty of Bigelow, AR, and has four children (Elijah, Emma, Ella, Ezekiel, and Ezra).

Lance Strother '96 Receivers
Lance Strother has coached for St. Thomas More since 2003. Strother is a St. Thomas More alumni from the class of 1996. He went on to play for Arkansas Tech from 1996-2000. He earned his undergraduate degree from Arkansas Tech University in 2000 and a master’s degree from Felician University. Strother is the co-owner and co-inventor of Great Catch and Scientific Sports Solutions. Married to the former Kathryn Giglio ‘96, and has three children (Madeline, Landon, and Gracie).

Ryan Frederick, Secondary/Defensive Backs
Ryan Frederick has coached for St. Thomas More since 2019. Frederick graduated from Breaux Bridge High School in Breaux Bridge, LA. He went on to play for McNeese State University from 1992-93 and earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Southwestern Louisiana. Prior to STM, he coached 10 years at Lafayette High and 12 years at Breaux Bridge High. Married to the former Kimberly Cox, and has two children (Noah '20 and Mia).

Raymond Martin '03, Defensive Ends
Ray has coached football for defensive ends since 2021.  Martin is a St. Thomas More alumni from the class of 2003.  During his time at STM he was named 1st team all-state, 2 time all-district, and the recipient of the 2002 Fighting Heart Award.  He went on to play college football at Northwestern State University where he was a 2004 Conference Champion, 2007 All Southland Conference player, 2007 permanent defensive captain, 2007 NSCA All American.  Ray was also the 2020 Comeaux High School Co-defensive Coordinator. Ray is married to the former Heather Lafleur and has three children (Ray IV, Camille, and Jackson).  

Chris Klock, Linebackers & Defensive Line
Chris is a 2000 graduate of Archbishop Rummel High School and a 2005 graduate of University of Louisiana at Lafayette.  During his time at Archbishop Rummel he was named All-District (98-99); All Jefferson Parish (98, 99); LHSAA Magazine MVP (99); All-State Honorable mention (99); Louisiana Football Magazine All-State (99); All Clarion Herald (98, 99); Clarion Herald Player of the year (98). While at ULL he was an Academic All-Sunbelt Conference Play (01-05), 3 year letterman, and graduated Magna Cum Laude. Klock also was a former Defensive Coordinator at East Jefferson High School.  He is married to the former Holly Block, and has three children (Tristan, Wyatt, and Ella). 

Eric Miller, Running Backs
Eric Miller joined the St. Thomas More coaching staff in 2024 as the Running Backs Coach. Miller is a graduate of Rayne High School. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Louisiana and his Masters degree in Educational Leadership from the American College of Education. Prior to STM, Miller has coached football and basketball for fourteen years. He is married to the former Mariah Hukins and has three children (TJ, Lucy, and Amelia). 

Kelvin Mamou, Tight Ends

Beau Hughes, Offensive Line

Patrick Robichaux, Receivers

Dane Adams, Director of Football Operations

 

 

Contact: 
For additional information, please contact Head Coach Jim Hightower at james.hightower@stmcougars.net .