Former Tide Standout Has Served as an Assistant Since 2010
In finding a replacement for legendary head coach John DiBiaso, Everett High School (EHS) administrators didn’t look beyond the Crimson Tide’s sideline to carry the torch for the most storied program in the Commonwealth.
Theluxon Pierre, a former EHS all-scholastic who has spent the last eight years as an assistant on DiBiaso’s staff, was officially named head coach during a press conference last Friday inside the Crimson Café. Pierre, 31, was born in Haiti but raised on all things Crimson Tide. He understands this city, its demographics, its young people, its football program, and the immense task that’s being asked of him. “I’m excited and a little nervous,” admitted Pierre. “I never thought I’d be replacing my coach,” whom he calls a “father figure.”
Pierre has the “personality and work ethic” needed to maintain the program DiBiaso built over the past 26 years, according to Superintendent Frederick F. Foresteire. “He’s well-versed in it, he grew up in it, he played in it, he’s coached in it.”
Pierre graduated from EHS in 2005. In ’03, he played running back and defensive end for an 11-0 juggernaut that outscored its opponents, 397-73, en route to the Tide’s third consecutive Div. 1 Super Bowl crown. The following year, Pierre scored 14 touchdowns on offense and was a standout on defense as the Tide went 10-0 before falling to Brockton, 22-21, in a classic Super Bowl clash at Bentley University. Following his senior year, Pierre was named an all-scholastic by both the Boston Globe and Boston Herald.
After graduating, Pierre played for two years at Dean College in Franklin, Mass., earning an associate’s degree in sports management. Then he moved on to UMass-Amherst, where injuries curtailed his playing time but not his chance to learn from highly r egarded coach Don Brown, who now serves as the defensive coordinator for the University of Michigan.
He graduated from UMass in 2009 with a degree in sociology. His first call was to DiBiaso, who told him to come home and coach kids who are trying to follow the path he took from Everett to college. “It was the best decision I’ve ever made,” said Pierre, who has been an assistant coach and teacher at Everett High since 2010.
“I’m all about Everett,” Pierre said, the room packed with Crimson Tide players and assistant coaches who are remaining on the staff. “This is all I know. It’s a lifestyle, coaching Everett High football. My wife and I are ready to commit fully to this.”
It’s been a whirlwind for the EHS football program and its fans. This past season, the Crimson Tide fielded arguably their most dynamic team of the DiBiaso era (certainly on offense). They were barely challenged en route to posting an 11-0 record and a second consecutive Division 1 Super Bowl title, their 12th under DiBiaso. Along the way, DiBiaso became just the fourth coach in the history of state to reach 300 wins.
In December, DiBiaso announced his retirement from the EPS, effective in June. The following month, he was named the new football coach and associate athletic director at Catholic Memorial. Last month, the team held its annual banquet knowing that Coach DiBiaso was leaving, but not who is replacing him.
“This is Everett,” Pierre said with a small laugh. “The kids get worried. The adults get worried.”
Now, everyone can take a deep breath and enjoy the rest of the off-season. Things will get plenty tense when the season begins in September — Everett opens with road games against Xaveran and Mansfield before returning home to face St. John’s Prep.