Coach Jeff Tageant is a graduate of FHS and was a three-year starter for Demon Baseball and played football for legendary Coach Donald Currier. He was on the 1981 State Runners-up team that played in the first ever Superdome Classic. He is also the son of a state championship coach, Robert Tageant, and his mother and baseball fan, Ms. Jewel.
He obtained a degree in Physical Education from Southeastern Louisiana University and in August 1987 he was hired at FHS as assistant football and baseball coach. In August of 1988 he was named Head Baseball Coach. In 2008 the baseball program moved to the FHS campus. Over 15 years, Coach Tageant personally supervised the construction of concession stand and restrooms, bleachers, press box, locker-room, weight room, covered cages and one of the best playing surfaces in the state. This was truly his Field of Dreams.
In 35 years, Coach Tageant coached 804 young men in varsity baseball. With Junior Varsity and scrimmages included, he coached well over 1.000 games. 27 of his players went on to become coaches as well. He has coached 44 sets of brothers, (two of those were his sons) and 9 fathers and sons. His career record is 561 wins, 315 losses and 2 ties. His record shows that his teams won 63% of the time with an average of 16 wins per season. Tageant-coached teams were District Champs 15 times, District Runners up 14 times and they made the playoffs 32 out of 35 years. He was named District Coach of the Year 15 times. Tageant holds the FHS and Washington Parish School District record for most wins and his #30 was retired in 2024.
He was selected by over one hundred baseball coaches in the state to receive the prestigious Tony Robichaux Award for demonstrating integrity and class when coaching baseball. In January 2026 he will be inducted into the Louisiana Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
Coach Tageant's family includes his wife of 37 years, Toni, and son Evan and wife Emily, Clay and wife Katelyn and his pride and joys, granddaughters Fallon, Farrah, and Indie. He is very proud that both his sons are baseball coaches and continuing the family business.
Coach Tageant's dedication to Franklinton High School and the baseball program will likely never be matched. He has been a steady presence for the young men of Franklinton and taught them how to win and lose with dignity and class. He taught them how to conduct themselves with pride and to always remember who they represent. He taught them how to give and earn respect and how something worth having is worth working your hardest for.
Franklinton High School and Coach Tageant invites everyone to the parade on Thursday, November 6 at 4:30. He is looking forward to seeing former players and students as well as all his friends.
