Incredible Journey Of Brandon LaGroue From Summer Job To School Principal

After graduating from Denham Springs High School, Brandon LaGroue entered LSU and earned a degree in biochemistry. It seemed like the logical thing to do. Several members of his family were physicians, and a career in medicine seemed like the next step. Or perhaps he would earn a PhD in biochemistry.

The problem was, Brandon LaGroue had little interest in medicine and less in biochemistry.

“I had always played sports growing up but what I really en- joyed was coaching the Biddy baseball team or mentoring the kids,” LaGroue said just after learning Central Supt. Jason Fountain had named him the new principal at Central High School.

“What I really wanted to do was teach and coach!”

Brandon’s grandfather and grandmother had moved to Central in the 1950’s, and his dad graduated from Central High School in 1977. Brandon often visited his grandparents in Central, and he always thought Central was special.

An opening came at Starkey Academy, a small private school in Central. Brandon was armed with his degree in biochemistry. Headmaster Steve Whitlow said, “You will be our science and math department!” Right away, he was named Starkey’s head girls basketball coach, head softball coach, and assistant football coach. “I took every opportunity they threw at me!” he said. “That was also the year we had our first child. So there was very little sleep.” 

Brandon was making a little over $20,000. “Frankly, I loved it and would have worked for free if I could!” he said.

Unfortunately, Starkey closed shortly thereafter, and Brandon was left looking for a job. 

The Central school system had been created the year before. Brandon was hired to work in a summer program at Central High. Not as a teacher but just to help out.

He worked out of the same of- fice as then principal Ronnie De- vall. Some of the students were involved in a summer science program but didn’t have a teacher. LaGroue stopped in and started an- swering their questions and soon was teaching them science.

It wasn’t long after that that Mr. Devall and the new principal, Bob Wells, offered him a job at Central High. He was also coaching foot- ball, baseball, and basketball. 

Eager to take on responsibilities, he made himself available whatever was needed. 

Teaching at Central High meant he would have to go back and be certified through an alternative certification program that was being offered. He weighed into that, eventually also getting certified in administration.

Soon Brandon became a familiar face to students and also to parents because he was coaching so many sports.

In 2012, the Central school system considered creating a 9th grade academy and moving it to the old Starkey Academy location.

LaGroue loved the idea of the 9th grade academy but hated the idea of moving the kids off the campus. He felt it would cut them off from the mainstream of student life at Central High School.

When a public forum was called on the issue, LaGroue bucked pro- tocol, went to the meeting, and spoke out strongly against moving the 9th grade academy off campus.

His passion and courage gained the attention of then-Supt. Mike Faulk, Mr. Wales, and other school leaders. When the 9th grade acad- emy was established, Brandon La- Groue was named administrator of the 9th grade academy, a position he enjoyed.

During 2017-2018, he was pro- moted to assistant principal at the high school. Then when Cen- tral principal David Prescott an- nounced he was retiring, Brandon was one of three applicants for the principal’s job.  

New Central schools Supt. Jason Fountain named Brandon the new principal, and the rest is history!