Mowad back at BBHS after battling cancer

• By BOB ARDOIN
• Special to The Advocate
• Published: Nov 27, 2008 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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BREAUX BRIDGE — Mike Mowad learned last year a cancer diagnosis usually leaves patients few options.

That was the case last year when Mowad was suddenly absent from the Breaux Bridge High sideline. Mowad, the BBHS head football coach the last 25 years, took a leave of absence following prostate cancer surgery. A year after returning to school cancer-free, Mowad has Breaux Bridge where the Tigers normally are at this time of year — deep in the Class 4A state playoffs.

Breaux Bridge (9-2) hosts Shaw (7-4) on Friday night in a quarterfinal contest.

Before the 2007 season, Mowad left the football tam in the hands of his assistants and went home. Mowad didn’t attend practices or games, preferring to listen to BBHS contests on the radio or watch the Tigers on televised games.

“I didn’t want to be a distraction. I also didn’t want to go back until I was 100 percent, physically and mentally, so I could stay on as coach,” he said.

Breaux Bridge was guided instead by defensive coordinator Paul Broussard, whom Mowad designated as interim head coach. Mowad said he wasn’t worried with Broussard and his assistants in charge.

“I knew things were in good hands,” Mowad said. “Paul and (assistant Kyle Kirkpatrick) have been with me for a lot of years and they know what we do on defense and offense. Things I felt were going to be the same with them whether I was there or not. I was comfortable with what the team was going to do.”

Breaux Bridge made the playoffs in 2007 and finished 6-5, while Mowad contemplated his future. Mowad returned to school in January, about a year after he was initially diagnosed.

“I had the surgery in March of 2007 and there was no therapy involved. That was because I was able to catch it early,” Mowad said. “It wasn’t difficult at all for me to cope with. I missed just the season and then I was back at school in January.”

Mowad said it’s always been his intention to retire on his own timetable, rather than leaving because of health reasons.

“This (cancer surgery) happened as I was getting towards the end, but I didn’t know if I would want it to end like that,” Mowad said. “I would prefer to end things on my own terms.”

Under Mowad, BBHS, ranked No. 10, has been to the semifinals three times and once to the championship game. With that type of record, there are few goals left, except maybe one.

Mowad said he would to get his 200th win before retiring. He entered this season started 16 games shy of that pinnacle.