New Orleans, LA –Holy Cross School is thrilled to announce that Coach Dale Turner has been named the 2023-2024 National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Coach of the Year for Boys Swimming in Louisiana. This prestigious accolade, presented by the Louisiana High School Coaches Association (LHSCA), honors Coach Turner’s exceptional leadership and commitment to his athletes' growth, marking an inspiring milestone in his 19-year tenure as the head coach at Holy Cross School.
Under Coach Turner’s guidance, the Holy Cross Swimming program has flourished, securing state titles in 2009, 2010, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. His achievements have earned him recognition beyond the pool, including being named to New Orleans City Business’s “Ones to Watch” list in 2017 and winning the Metro Boys Swim Coach of the Year award in both 2022 and 2023.
When asked about his career, Turner proudly shared his coaching philosophy: “Focusing on the holistic development of young athletes can have such a lasting impact. By emphasizing effort over innate talent, you’re not only fostering better swimmers but also instilling important life skills like perseverance, teamwork, and resilience. It’s amazing how the lessons learned in sports can translate into everyday challenges.”
In addition to his outstanding coaching achievements, Coach Turner has overseen significant program growth, including a 2023 partnership with Southern University at New Orleans for pool facilities, which enabled Holy Cross to expand its offerings to a K–4 club program alongside its middle school and varsity programs.
Coach Turner acknowledges the invaluable support of his dedicated assistant coaches, Coach Dale Williams, known affectionately as “Lady Dale” (14 years), and Coach Blaine Tatje (9 years), as well as the enthusiasm and support from the swimmer parents, whom he describes as “the most supportive group of individuals you will ever find.”
Holy Cross School congratulates Coach Dale Turner on this well-deserved honor and is proud to see his name submitted for further recognition at the sectional and national levels through the NFHS. His dedication and success serve as a powerful example of the Holy Cross mission to educate the mind, heart, body, and soul.
Holy Cross School is an independent, Catholic, college preparatory school founded in 1849 by the Congregation of Holy Cross to educate young men in the greater New Orleans community. Holy Cross is fully approved by the Louisiana State Department of Education and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools as a college preparatory school for boys in grades PK–12.