Dantzler talks about coming back to Louisiana, expectations for Patterson football

Patterson’s new football coach, Marvin Dantzler, has been through the fire, winning in ultra-competitive Class 6A football at Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The Monroe, Louisiana, native comes to Patterson after four years as head coach at Booker T. Washington. The 36-year-old coach finished with a 33-12 record at Booker T. Washington, including back-to-back Class 6A semifinal appearances in 2014 and 2015. He also qualified for the playoffs in his first two seasons at the school.
Dantzler is no stranger to Patterson’s football tradition, either.
“Being from Louisiana, I knew the Hilliards,” Dantzler said of the football family that features Patterson High alums and former NFL players Dalton Hilliard and Ike Hilliard and current Houston Texan Kenny Hilliard. “I was a Dalton Hilliard fan, and I kept up with what was going (on) in the state no matter where I was. So I knew there was good football here, and once I took interest in the job, I really started researching the school, and I saw all the talent the Patterson has produced. I also found out about the passion of this community for Patterson football, and I like a fan base that will come and support the team.”
Dantzler officially was appointed Patterson High School’s head football coach and health and physical education teacher, effective this coming Monday, during Thursday’s St. Mary Parish School Board meeting in Centerville.
Dantzler’s appointment, announced by Superintendent Leonard Armato, did not require board approval.
He replaces former head coach Chad Blanchard, who resigned his position as head football coach and athletic director in December to “pursue other opportunities that will benefit my family,” Blanchard said in a statement at the time. According to The Advocate, he took an offensive assistant coaching position at Destrehan High School, effective Jan. 4.
As for Patterson’s new coach, Dantzler said he is excited to be home and hopes Patterson will be his last coaching stop.
“As soon as I crossed the state line, I was excited because it’s always great to be home,” he said. “I have a lot of good football relationships here, not to mention family and friends. Being home is only going to rejuvenate me, and I’m coming off a 10-1 season, so you know what I’m going to expect. My goal is to play for a gold football in the (Mercedes Benz) Superdome every year.”
Dantzler was chosen from among more than 50 applicants for the job, Armato said.
“I was swayed toward Coach Dantzler pretty early on in the process,” Patterson High Principal Rachael Sanders said. “I liked the conviction he spoke about football with. He didn’t sugarcoat the football talk with me, and I respected that. He just seemed like an old-school football guy, which I think our team respects and will work for a guy like that.”
Dantzler also has high standards for his players off the field.
“I expect my players to work hard on the field, in the classroom and be respectful young men in the community,” he said. “And I also expect to send kids off to college regularly. I’m very excited about this opportunity.”
Ten of his Booker T. Washington players signed scholarships on national signing day this year.