Kaplan hires Cory Brodie as new head football coach

Cory Brodie has been named the new head football coach of the Kaplan Pirates.
Kaplan High Principal Patricia Thibodeaux made the announcement last Friday.
“Coach Brodie exudes all of the traits we are looking for in a leader and teacher,” said Thibodeaux. “I am confident he will maintain our tradition of excellence both in the classroom and on the field at Kaplan High School. We welcome Coach Brodie to our Pirate family and look forward with enthusiasm and promise on the new horizon.”
Brodie, who is 29, comes to Kaplan after serving as the defensive coordinator at Vermilion Catholic for the past two seasons, during which time the Eagles amassed a 19-3 record. He was the defensive coordinator and was also the head boys basketball coach. Brodie said he is grateful for this new opportunity.
“I am humbled and excited to work with the players, coaches, faculty, and the community of Kaplan,” said Brodie. “We will strive to be a positive and consistent pillar of excellence in the classroom, on the field, and in life.”
Brodie comes from a good stock of football knowledge.
His father is Craig Brodie, who was the head coach at Catholic High and Berwick High. Brodie’s uncle is Brent Indest, a former head coach at Kaplan High, along with Crowley, Abbeville, Comeaux and Catholic High.
Brodie was the defensive coordinator with his father for three years at Berwick. He moved across the river and became the defensive coordinator for Central Catholic for three years.
Brodie, a Catholic High graduate, said he had enjoyed his two-year stay in Vermilion Parish, which gave him the confidence to apply for the Kaplan job.
“I love the small-town community,” said Brodie. “Part of the success of a program is getting the community involved. I wanted the right situation. I know people go after coaching jobs, and they are not ready. I am ready, and Kaplan is a good fit for me. It is a community school, and that’s the type of school I want to be the head coach at.”
Does he plan to scrap Kaplan’s Wing-T offense for a VC’s spread offense where they throw the football 20 times a game?
He was not ready to say what offense Kaplan will be running next season. He first wants to meet with the assistant football coaches, meet the players, and then go from there.
Brodie will finish out the year at VC as a teacher but he will be going back and forth to Kaplan High to meet the players, coaches, and community.
VC head coach Broc Prejean is now in search of a new offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator. Both are now high school head coaches.
Last week, Blaize, VC’s offensive coordinator, accepted a head coaching job at Westminster Academy in Opelousas. Now, Brodie is going to Kaplan.
“Kaplan got a dynamic, passionate coach. Very excited for Coach Brodie, both personally and professionally,” said VC head coach Broc Prejean. “He was meant to be a head coach and that was very clear to me being around him this past season, so with a guy like that it’s always a ‘when’ not an ‘if’. He did a tremendous job creating a culture of tenacious defense and relentless attitude. He brought a higher standard to our basketball program, so he leaves some big shoes to fill. It’s always a neat thing to see people achieve what they’ve worked for and deserve, so many congratulations and good fortune to the Pirates and Coach Brodie.
“This profession is all about relationships, and I know he and I will remain colleagues and friends throughout our careers. We lose a coach, but we also gain an ally in the coaching world. It’s an exciting time in Vermilion Parish football with all the new blood around, and he will add to that exponentially.”