Heeding the Call: Stefan LeFors leaves Parkview Baptist to become head coach of D3 Gallaudet University

by William Weathers // GeauxPreps.com Contributor

With deep roots in the school, bridged by a gap to when his brother played football at the school, Parkview Baptist’s football coach Stefan LeFors was introduced Monday as the new head football coach at Division III Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C.

LeFors, 43, succeeds Chuck Goldstein who transitioned after a 15-year stay to the school’s admissions office. He set the school’s record for wins (59) and conference wins (42).

LeFors, who was traveling and unavailable for comment, issued a statement through the school’s athletic communications department.

“My ties to GU run deep with family members attending school there and being on campus as a kid watching my brother play football in the late 1990s,” said LeFors, the 37th football coach in school history who begins his new duties April 21st. “It really makes this even more of a unique and special opportunity for me and my family. Go Bison!”

LeFors, a Child of Deaf Adults (CODA), has deep-rooted connections to the school. His mother, Susan Carter LeFors, played volleyball and attended the school, while his uncle, Nick LeFors Jr., competed in both basketball and golf. Nick’s wife, Peggy Barbour, was a cheerleader, and another uncle, David LeFors, also attended the school. Stefan’s strong ties to the Deaf community are further underscored by his family’s background, with several relatives graduating from Gallaudet University—a private institution dedicated to educating deaf and hard of hearing students.

LeFors’ older brother Eric played football from 1996-99 and graduated from the school.

“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome coach Stefan LeFors to the Gallaudet family as our new head football coach, Gallaudet athletic director Warren Keller said in a school release. “From the moment we began this search, we were looking for someone who could inspire our student-athletes, elevate our program, and lead with passion, integrity, and vision.

“Coach LeFors brings an incredible track record of success, a deep love for the game, and a clear commitment to developing young men both on and off the field,” Keller said. “We’re confident he will make an immediate impact on our culture and carry on our proud tradition with energy and excellence. We can’t wait to see what the future holds under his leadership.”

LeFors, a graduate of Baton Rouge’s Christian Life Academy, spent a total of six years at Parkview Baptist. He was 47-24 overall with six state playoff appearances, including three straight trips to the state quarterfinals.

He informed the school of his decision to take the Gallaudet job last Thursday.

“He had an opportunity and felt he had to go which I understand and support,” Parkview Baptist athletic director Danny Smith, also the football team’s defensive backs coach. The timing’s not the best, but that’s the life of coaching.”

Smith believes the school’s five-time state championship football program has plenty to offer to attract another high-quality candidate.

“I think the opportunity for someone is there to come in and build a program with their own identity,” Smith said. “The program’s established. It has a rich tradition. We have great facilities and we’re looking for the next person to come in with some of the same characteristics that we’ve had with being successful. 

“Hard work, discipline, and tough in the trenches,” Smith said. “We’re looking for those things and I feel God has someone looking to step in. Coach Lefors came in and did a great job and had a lot of success. We just want to continue that, and the same time look to take it to the next level.”

Smith said the football program will not conduct spring training once again and will start earlier in the fall. The success of the Eagles’ baseball program and track program have made it difficult to have spring workouts with so many athletes participating in other sports.

“We’re going to open it for a couple of weeks and see how it goes,” Smith said. “We’ll see how it goes and set up interviews in a couple of weeks and go from there.”

LeFors teamed with LSU-bound wide receiver Michael Clayton while in high school, helping to elevate the Crusaders to among the state’s top programs. 

LeFors signed with the University of Louisville where he left as the school’s fifth-leading passer with 5,853 yards from 2001-04. He helped the Cardinals to an 11-1 record and No. 6 final ranking – the school’s highest finish. 

LeFors capped his career with an MVP performance in the Liberty Bowl. He was twice voted first-team All-Conference USA and was the league’s Offensive Player of the Year, earning an invitation to play in the East-West Shrine all-star game.

The Carolina Panthers made LeFors a fourth-round draft choice in the 2005 draft and remained with the organization for two years. He signed with the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League for the 2007-2008 seasons before playing his final year with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

LeFors embarked on his head coaching career at Christian Academy in Louisville, compiling an 86-20 record where he led the school to a pair of Class 2A state championships in 2016-18 and seven district titles. He was named the state’s Coach of the Year in ’16 by The Associated Press.

“I’m incredibly humbled and excited for this next chapter and grateful for the opportunity to grow, learn, and take on new challenges at Gallaudet University,” LeFors said. “My passion is developing young people and sharing the knowledge I’ve learned from all the wonderful places I’ve been both as a player and coach. I look forward to building positive relationships with the players, staff, and administration.”