Mike Labourdette back as head football coach at Pearl River

It is time for a second stint as head football coach for Mike Labourdette at Pearl River.

Labourdette, who was the Rebels head coach in 2015 and 2016, is returning to the position for 2021 after serving as an assistant to Joe Harris most recently for the last three seasons.

Harris resigned, his own decision, at the end of the 2020 season, leading Pearl River to a 5-2 record. Harris served two stints as the head coach at Pearl River, from 2001-10 and from 2018-20.

Now, Labourdette follows in the footsteps of Harris to serve a second stint as head coach of the Rebels.

Labourdette guided the Rebels to an 8-13 mark in his previous stint as head coach before being relieved of his duties by the previous principal at the school.

“It’s about the whole picture, not about one guy, and I think the administration is on our side,” Labourdette said. “There were difficulties the first time around but things are really good at Pearl River now. The mindset has changed. I have learned a lot from experience. We have really good people at Pearl River now. I’m super excited.”

Labourdette is sure he knows why the Rebels have turned things around.

“We have a program that’s winning now because everyone is pulling the rope in the same direction,” Labourdette said. “We have a lot of people doing so. We have to keep working to take it a step further each year. We have had good football the last four years.” John Priola has been here three years and understands athletics as well as anyone and he is great to work for. Our entire administration is very helpful and beneficial to coaches. Look at our softball, volleyball and baseball program success. We have had the most success athletically that we have had at the school in a long while. It’s a winning mentality. If your administration wants to win, it makes a huge difference. It is a good environment to work in.”

Harris spent 33 years coaching and simply decided to retire after fine service.

“Luckily, the last three years, Joe really liked what I was doing,” Labourdette. “He let me be his right hand man and taught me some things about patience that were valuable which I am very grateful for. I want to keep the good things going and work to eliminate any bad things and to do the best I can.”

What does the 2021 football season prospectus look like for Pearl River?

“We have some sophomores we are high on but COVID-19 hurt our freshmen class,” Labourdette said. “Brian Jenkins rushed for over 1,000 yards in seven games. Austin Wadwsorth is a solid quarterback who went down with a shoulder injury. He has a bright future.”

It is a family affair for the Labourdette family at Pearl River with Labourdette’s wife, Courtney serving as the head softball and assistant volleyball coach of the Rebels.

“We have about a 17-man sophomore class that will be juniors,” Labourdette said. “We were senior-heavy defensively and have players to replace. We lose 13 seniors. We have a good eighth-grade class. We had our first playoff win in school history three years ago. The program is on the right track. It is a good time to get this opportunity.”