Jim Hightower, Head Coach
Coach Hightower is the 2nd winningest active coach in the state of Louisiana with over 400 wins and 3 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 32 straight playoff appearances, in addition to 21 district championships and 2 state championships in 2016 and 2019. 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. 

Terry Tidwell, Linebackers, Defensive Coordinator
Terry Tidwell has spent 38 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. Married to the former 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, and Ezekiel).

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).

Nick Cortese '09, Outside Linebackers
Nick Cortese has coached for St. Thomas More since 2013. Cortese is a St. Thomas More alumni from the class of 2009. He earned his undergraduate degree from Millsaps College in 2013. Cortese is also the assistant basketball coach for St. Thomas More. Married to the former Allie Kenner '10.

Jacob Rodrigue, Tight Ends
Jacob Rodrigue has coached for St. Thomas More since 2016. Rodrigue graduated from E.D. White Catholic High School in Thibodeaux, LA. He earned his undergraduate degree from Nicholls State University. Rodrigue is also joining the baseball coaching staff for St. Thomas More this upcoming season.

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).

Cass Hargis, Running Backs
Cass begins his 2nd year as a baseball and football coach. Hargis graduated from Holy Cross School in New Orleans and played baseball for Southeastern Louisiana University from 2007 - 2011. Prior to joining STM, he coached baseball at St. Thomas Aquinas, Southeastern, Holy Cross and McNeese.

Raymond Martin '03, Defensive Ends
Ray joins STM in his first year as a football coach for defensive ends.  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. 

Dusty Collette, Defensive Backs
Dusty joins STM as a football coach for defensive backs and an assistant softball coach. He is a 2003 Teurlings Catholic High School graduate where he participated in football, baseball, and track. While at Teurlings he was named as a 2002 LSWA Football 3A all-state offensive MVP, 1st team all-Acadiana player, and a 1st team 3A all-district player.  He was also named a 1st team 3A all-district baseball during his senior year.  After high school Dusty went on to play football at Southern Arkansas University, McNeese State, and Jones County Junior College. While coaching at Notre Dame High School in Crowley, LA, he was named the 2013 LSCA 3A coach of the year and the 2013 all-district coach of the year as the head softball coach. In 2018 the Notre Dame Pios won the 2018 Football State Championship under his instruction as the quarterbacks coach.  He is married to the former Ashley Erato and has two children (Carson and Colin). 

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