ZACHARY HC CHRIS CARRIER TALKS TO HIS ASSISTANT COACHES AT THE LSU HS CLASSIC!
There have been many changes at Zachary High School over the past 15 years. What hasn't changed is the impact that the school's Dean of Students-Coach Chris Carrier-has had on the student-athletes and faculty on campus.
In all, Carrier has been a championship caliber coach in both track and field and football for 33 years in the Baton Rouge area.
On Friday, Carrier will be presented with the Louisiana Track & Field Coaches Association's Lifetime Achievement Award at the organization's annual clinic in Lafayette, Louisiana.
"Over the years-33 years-I've been around some great coaches," Carrier said last Saturday at the LSU High School Classic. "Pete Boudreaux, Claney Duplechin, John Talley and a bunch more who have taught me that when you are coaching a sport you have to put everything into it. That's what I have done. And being around some good student-athletes in my time at Dutchtown, my time at Catholic, my time at Zachary has really paid off and it shows I'm getting old or I'm doing something good or both. I appreciate the award and we'll celebrate next week."
Last May, Carrier led Zachary to their latest state championship as the Lady Bronco track and field team tied Scotlandville for the top honors.
"We never really imagined it would be a co-championship.," Carrier said. "We always want to win it outright. And I'm sure they thought they were going to win it outright. It ended up being a tie. They only had one trophy. So Scotlandville took a picture with the trophy. Then we took a picture with the trophy. Then we both took a picture with the trophy. It was a good thing. With the two schools being in close proximity and us being friends with the coaching staff, it was a good thing for both schools."
The 2023 trophy was special in that it was his tenth state title in track and field. Carrier's girls time have won five outdoor state championships (2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2023) and three indoor titles (2015,2016,2018). On the boys side, Carrier has led the Broncos to state championships in 2018 (outdoor) and 2021 (indoor).
In college, Carrier was an all-SEC defensive back for the LSU Tigers in 1986 and 1987.
Carrier, who was a football assistant coach on the state championship teams in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2021, decided to step away from football over the summer.
"I'm in administration and dealing with kids and parents all day," Carrier said. "And working 12 hours a day six days a week, it got taxing on me and my family. I've got grandkids now. My mother-in-law is living with us--working 12 months, six days a week-I had to give up something...so I gave up football. I'm still an administrator and just coach track."
Anytime a coach has been in the game for 33 years, it begs the question--how long will they continue to coach?
"I don't know," Carrier said. "It's just a feeling. I will go until I feel like I can't contribute anymore like I am now. I feel like I can still give a lot to the sport. Once I feel like I cannot give my all then I'll hang up my shoes."