Saint Augustine HS (New Orleans, LA) has churned out a number of NFL players over the years including recent big names like Tyrann Mathieu and Leonard Fournette.
After Nick Foster stepped down a few weeks ago at the end of November following three seasons at the helm, the program began their search for a head coach.
Sources tell FootballScoop that search has led them to an in-state FCS assistant to take over the team.
Grambling State (FCS - LA) offensive line coach Robert Valdez is expected to accept the head coaching opportunity with the Purple Knights, sources share.
Before joining the Grambling staff, Valdez was the head coach at St. James HS (LA) from 2016-21.
There, he earned Don Shula NFL Coach of the Year honors after leading St. James to a perfect 15-0 season and class 3A state title in 2015. The championship marked their first in four decades.
He also has been a head coach at East St. John (LA), McKinley HS (LA), West St. John (LA), Scotlandville (LA) in addition to St. James, compiling an impressive 126-58 mark.
At St. Augs, he inherits a program coming off a 4-8 season. They won a bi-district playoff game before falling to powerhouse John Curtis Christian (LA) in a 49-42 shootout.
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