Justin Lirette became the first head coach in the Hahnville High School powerlifting program’s history when it was established three years ago – and in 2025, the Tigers’ Blaize Donnaud was crowned the school’s first state powerlifting champion.
Lirette, of course, was elated for Donnaud, but also for the future of the program as though Donnaud has graduated, his victory will continue to inspire up-and-coming Tigers next season and beyond.
“I think that just kind of helps the program grow faster than what we maybe expected,” Lirette said. “You know, we already have some kids that are in the program that solidly believe – that’s already their goals now. They now see that it’s attainable. Whereas before, maybe it might have just been a thought – ‘maybe it can happen or whatever.’
“But now that they’ve actually seen one of their teammates accomplish it – some of the work we did over the summer, we had a few guys and girls talking about not only going to regionals and doing those things, but going to state and trying to win a state championship.”
Lirette loves seeing his pupils make strides, whether it’s in the classroom, on the football field or in the weight room. He teaches math, specifically intensive geometry for the coming school year, and also serves as an assistant football coach.
While this will be his fourth year as part of the Hahnville faculty, he’s entering his 14th year as a teacher. He became interested in pursuing both teaching and coaching as a career path upon reflection on how his own coaches at South Terrebonne High School – including Gators coaches Richard Curlin and Francis Labat – positively affected his life.
“When I was a freshman in college, I really don’t think I still knew what I wanted to do,” Lirette said. “It was actually some of my high school coaches that I reached out to for guidance, and you know, that’s kind of what led me to say I think I want to coach. They inspired me and I would like to inspire youth just like they did for me. It kind of went from there.”
But beyond athletics, Lirette said he’s always found enjoyment in the side of his job that brings him to the classroom.
“I truly enjoy teaching. Even if I didn’t coach football and didn’t coach powerlifting, I think I would still teach,” Lirette said. “Because I just love to see a student, they may be struggling and then they get something for the first time and that light bulb goes off. Or, teaching them as freshmen and then four years later you see them walk across the stage, graduate, they come tell you hi and thank you. That never gets old.”
Lirette said he looks to establish early on that he’s always there to listen and to help his students however he can.
And as far as his day-to-day routine?
“I just love the grind,” Lirette said. “I love the grind of being able to start somewhere and to see where you can get with it. Coaching wise, that’s one of the things I truly enjoy – just trying to get to the top. And in the classroom, I enjoy getting a new batch of students and helping them build that confidence, watching them grow.”
