Woodlawn appoints Lafrance Cooper as boys basketball coach following Goldman’s surgery
Kenny Wayne Goldman steps down after seven-year tenure marked by district titles and a 144-69 record
Woodlawn High School in Northwest Louisiana has appointed Lafrance Cooper as the new head coach of its boys basketball program, succeeding Kenny Wayne Goldman. The administrative change follows Goldman’s decision to step down after undergoing knee replacement surgery, which has placed him on the sidelines for the foreseeable future.
Cooper, who previously served as the head coach at Homer High School, is scheduled to officially assume the role on May 29. The transition marks a significant shift for one of the region’s most established basketball programs, with Cooper citing the institution’s "rich tradition and pride" as a primary factor in accepting the position.
Goldman concludes a seven-year tenure at Woodlawn that included a 144-69 win-loss record. His leadership saw the Knights secure two district championships, reach two LHSAA semifinal rounds, and earn three Coach of the Year honours. This appointment at Woodlawn marked Goldman’s return to head coaching duties for the first time since 2005, when he held the position at North Caddo.
Cooper brings a substantial athletic and academic background to the role. A former Shreveport Times All-Area performer in 2004, he averaged 30.3 points at Homer High School before earning LSWA Class 2A All-State honours. His collegiate career included stints at Southern University-Shreveport and East Texas Baptist, and he holds an undergraduate degree from ETBU, a master’s in Sports Administration from Grambling State University, and an Ed.S in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University.
The new coach outlined a philosophy centred on character development and strict standards. Cooper stated the programme would focus on "building boys into young men daily" and teaching life lessons through the sport. He emphasised that there would be "no room for complacency," with a mandate for daily accountability, discipline, and competition.
While Goldman has stepped aside for medical reasons, he indicated that his departure from the sidelines may not be permanent. Reflecting on his career and personal history, which he described as a "long journey back" from incarceration, Goldman suggested he might return to coaching in the future. "Don’t sleep on me not doing it again," he said.
The coaching change was reported by Jimmy Watson, who covers Louisiana sports for the USA TODAY Network.
