Love of the grind fuels J.T. Curtis to historic coaching feats

As my Friday Night Football co-host JT Curtis approaches an historic milestone in his career, I have been asked often lately what he thinks about breaking the record for most wins ever by a football coach in America.

My answer startles some. It’s simple. Not much.

With all due apologies to Tulane coach Willie Fritz, JT Curtis was all about ‘1-0’ long before the talented coach of the Green Wave.

JT Curtis is about today’s practice and about Friday’s game and also about doing his best for the young people who attend his school.

He plans for the future, with a focus on right now. He also loves the grind.

When he leaves WGNO TV at about 12:10 Saturday morning, Curtis often stops for an unhealthy burger and gets it at a particular fast food restaurant.

Why? “They have the best French fries,” says Curtis. Fair enough.

After going to bed about 1:00 am, he’s back up five and a half hours later, ready for meetings and practice.

Curtis spends a few hours on a Saturday unwinding and then he is back at the grind.

That work ethic comes from his parents, Mr. Curtis Sr, and his bride Merle.

Mr. Curtis was the headmaster of John Curtis Christian school into his mid-80’s. In her late 80’s, JT’s mother was still teaching.

I can still see Mr. Curtis, with his signature white suit, roaming the sidelines at a state championship game at the Superdome. The Reverend loved Jesus Christ, but when it came to competing, everyone else was fair game.

I frankly know of no one who maxed out his ability as a person more than Mr. Curtis, and it’s a trait passed along to the entire Curtis family.

“Gotta put in the work,” says Curtis.

That’s why in the 80’s, when we first started talking about doing a high school football show together, I knew he would have no problem leaving his team, hustling to the station and then co-hosting a highlight show.

He’s come in after the biggest of wins and the toughest of defeats.

In 1995, in the Class 4A quarterfinals, Curtis led 19-7 only to lose to Salmen. It was a crushing defeat. One hour later, he was congratulating the Spartans and head coach Bill Stubbs on TV for the world to see

It was pure class.

A few years later, Stubbs and his wife Christie hosted a Christmas party. On the guest list was JT and Lydia Curtis. It was fun to watch the two interact. Coach JT respected someone like Stubbs, who was willing to work as hard as he to build a champion.

So, here we are all these years later and not much has changed.

The coach is still grinding away. He will be so nervous, as he is every Friday. He will barely eat.

Maybe that’s why, after the game, those French fries taste so good.

Even at one in the morning. Especially at 1 a.m.