Benjamin Franklin High School announces Terry Wilson as new boys basketball coach

NEW ORLEANS – Benjamin Franklin High School is pleased to announce that current head football coach, Terry Wilson, has taken over as head boys’ basketball coach, as well.

Wilson brings more than 20 years of experience to the role, having worked at O. Perry Walker High School (now L.B. Landry – O.P. Walker College and Career Preparatory High School) and St. Katharine Drexel. In 2018, he coached St. Katharine Drexel to the state championship, the first girls’ basketball state championship in school history, and was named Louisiana State Coach of the Year and Louisiana Sports Writers Association Coach of the Year. The following year, after coaching the girls to the state Final Four, he was named the Clarion Herald Coach of the Year in 2019. He is also the recipient of the Allstate Sugar Bowl Eddie Robinson Award. Prior to his coaching career, Wilson was a talented player, winning the state 5A basketball championship with L.B. Landry in 1975 and the New Orleans Recreation Department National Biddy Basketball World Championship in 1971.

“I’ve enjoyed coaching football at BFHS and have been impressed with my players’ hustle and heart,” Wilson said. “I’m excited to see what the season will bring for us both in football and now in basketball. Everyone knows how academically talented our students are, but I’m ready for them to see that we can be impressive on the field or the court, too.”

Athletic Director Chrissa Hailey, who this year coached the girls’ basketball team to the state Final 4 for the first time in school history, agreed. “We are delighted to have Coach Wilson step into this new position after his success with the football program,” she said. “He is working hard to change the perception of BFHS not being a ‘sports school,’ and we’re confident he will get great results with our basketball team just as he did with our football team.”

The BFHS football season kicks off Friday, Aug. 26, with an away game versus Ascension Christian; the first home game will be Friday, Sept. 2, versus St. Martin’s Episcopal. The basketball season will begin in November.

For more information, please contact Eve Peyton at (504) 503-0062 or epeyton@bfhsla.org.