BATON ROUGE — The next Mayor of Baton Rouge, Coach Sid Edwards, said he’s coached his last game, for now, and spent Monday saying goodbye to his lifelong career of coaching.
“I hate to resign from my football job but we’re going to meet with them Monday,” he said. “There’s no way we can do what we need to do here in the parish, in particular, the city, and continue to coach football.”
In a stunning upset, longtime Baton Rouge high school coach Sid Edwards was elected Mayor-President of East Baton Rouge Parish, defeating incumbent Sharon Weston Broome with 54% of the vote. The beloved coach and community leader is trading in his whistle for a mayoral office, promising to bring the same passion, commitment, and teamwork that defined his coaching career to Baton Rouge’s city hall.
“I’ve already got some names put down, and then we got to start vetting and hiring people and personnel,” he said.
Edwards, a beloved figure in his athletic community but a newcomer to politics, expressed his surprise and humility over the victory, calling it a “divine appointment.”
“We often dismiss the hand of God. This thing was ordained. This was God’s work, not mine, not anyone else’s,” Edwards said during his victory speech.
Edwards ran a clean, grassroots campaign focused on uniting a divided community and pushing for meaningful change, though he emphasized that change doesn’t imply everything was failing.
“Change doesn’t always mean that things are completely bad. There are some things that need to change, and that’s what we ran on,” he explained. “I know what people need, and I’m committed to delivering on that change.”
For many, Edwards’ election represents a fresh start and a new perspective for the city. One of those people is Bryford Wilson, a former player who credits Edwards’ leadership with shaping his own life and helping their team achieve unexpected success.
The Coach’s Approach
Wilson, who played basketball and football for Edwards from 1989 to 1992 at Catholic High, remembers a coach who prioritized understanding and empowering his players.
“Coach Sid Edwards, to me, was the original players’ coach,” Wilson shared. “He got to know his players. He spent time with us off the court, so he knew what made us tick, what pushed us. He’d develop his game plan around these different personalities. He knew who fit in what situation and what scenario best.”
This personal touch translated into extraordinary results. “He took a group of underdogs—no All-Americans, no big accolades—and we would go across the country in basketball and place in the top 10 in national tournaments. We would’ve run through a wall for him, and he would’ve done the same for us.”
What Kind of Mayor Will Coach Sid Be?
Wilson believes that Edwards’ ability to inspire and unite will serve Baton Rouge well, even as the former coach faces a steep learning curve.
“It’s going to be a learning process because this is a new avenue for him, but I really think he’ll surround himself with a great team,” Wilson said. “He’s going into this with a clean, good heart—no agendas, no motives. He’s just trying to find a way to make Baton Rouge better.”
Wilson also acknowledged the challenges ahead.
“It won’t be perfect. There will be bumpy roads and bumpy days, but at the end of the day, when your heart is in the right place, things have a way of working out.”
Reflecting on Edwards’ willingness to take on new challenges, Wilson added, “It just shows the type of character he is—the kind of man he is. He’s not afraid to go in a different direction. He just wants what’s best for everyone as a whole. Whether you’re happy about it or not, you have to root for a guy who’s willing to stick his head in there and see if his ideas can make a change.”
From Underdogs to Champions
Edwards’ coaching resume speaks for itself: 44 years in coaching at schools like Catholic High, Redemptorist, Jesuit, and Central, where he led teams to three state championships and earned accolades such as NFL National Coach of the Year, Louisiana 5A Coach of the Year, and “Coach of the Decade.”
Wilson emphasized that Edwards’ leadership style—rooted in understanding and collaboration—was unmatched. “From back then to now, his coaching style is unmatched. At just 25 or 26 years old, he answered the call to lead, and now he’s answering another call.”
‘Coach Mayor’ era begins: A Vision for Baton Rouge
As mayor, Edwards plans to focus on building relationships and addressing pressing issues, starting with public safety. He announced plans to meet with local law enforcement leaders to tackle crime and community concerns.
“I’m very humbled and thankful that the citizens of East Baton Rouge Parish have given me this opportunity, and I do not plan on letting them down,” Edwards said, promising to bring the same determination to his new role that he brought to the field.
For Bryford Wilson, one thing is clear: Baton Rouge has a leader who will give everything he has to make the city better. “He’s going to do everything in his power to deliver. That’s who Coach Sid is.”
The “Coach Mayor” era is set to begin this January.
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