Comeaux High School to Close, Leaving Spartan Athletes Uncertain

The Lafayette Parish School Board voted to convert the 60-year-old campus into a career and technical education center.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 9:03am

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Comeaux High School in Lafayette, Louisiana will be closing down after the 2025-26 school year, leaving the school's athletes and coaches to adapt to an uncertain future. The decision by the Lafayette Parish School Board to convert the 60-year-old campus into a career and technical education center has sent shockwaves through the Spartan community, as athletes and coaches grapple with the end of a storied athletic tradition.

Why it matters

The closure of Comeaux High School marks the end of an era for the school's athletics programs, which have been a source of pride and community for decades. The decision will force Spartan athletes to find new homes at other local high schools, disrupting established teams and relationships. This transition raises concerns about the ability of these athletes to maintain their competitive edge and continue their athletic careers.

The details

Comeaux football head coach Marquis Newsome, a 2001 Comeaux alum, expressed his disappointment with the decision, saying the school's coaching and programs were "something special." Spartan running back Jaden Celestine, who had a breakout season in 2025, and linebacker Alex Satchell, who was set to be a team captain, now face the challenge of finding a spot on new teams at schools like Southside, Acadiana, or Lafayette High. The transition will be especially difficult for athletes who had to work hard to earn a spot on Comeaux's teams.

  • The Lafayette Parish School Board voted to close Comeaux High School in early March 2026.
  • The 2025-26 school year will be Comeaux High School's last.

The players

Marquis Newsome

Comeaux High School football head coach and a 2001 Comeaux alum.

Jaden Celestine

Comeaux High School running back who had a breakout 2025 season.

Alex Satchell

Comeaux High School linebacker who was set to be a team captain in 2026.

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What they’re saying

“It's kind of like they don't care or worry about our tradition that we have here. I'm not saying we are a powerhouses, but Comeaux has always been different and diverse. The coaching and programs that we built here were something special.”

— Marquis Newsome, Comeaux High School football head coach

“My initial reaction, it was actually hard to believe, it almost wasn't real. It's a hard pill to swallow, and it took me about a day to process it. Now I have to make an adult decision at a young age and do what's best for me for what's next.”

— Jaden Celestine, Comeaux High School running back

“It's just sad to look back because we thought we would have our seniors. We're going to make it next year, we're going to go to the playoffs. Then it's like we didn't know that would be our last game at Westgate. But it's really all glory to God that we did end this season better than those last seasons.”

— Alex Satchell, Comeaux High School linebacker

What’s next

Returning Comeaux athletes will need to find roster spots at one of the three local high schools - Southside, Acadiana, or Lafayette High - that will be absorbing Comeaux students next school year. The transition will be challenging as these athletes try to integrate into new programs and compete at the higher Class 5A level.

The takeaway

The closure of Comeaux High School represents the end of a proud athletic tradition that has been a cornerstone of the Lafayette community for decades. While the Spartan athletes and coaches are determined to carry on their school's legacy, the uncertainty of their futures highlights the difficult realities that can arise when a beloved institution is forced to shut its doors.