225BatonRouge.com

225. That’s a big number on these pages, whether it’s your area code, this magazine or the number of victories you have as a football coach.

For Dale Weiner, it all ties together.

His Catholic High team, a perennial state power in Louisiana’s largest division, Class 5A, opens its season with games against Broadmoor (Sept. 8) and Hammond (Sept. 15). Those games give Weiner the chance to tie retired legend Roman Bates with the most victories by a Baton Rouge-area coach. (Bates won 225 games before retiring from Capitol High.)

“He’s a guy that touched so many people,” Weiner says of Bates. “His career at Capitol High impacted so many lives.”

Asked about the milestone, Weiner responds with his typical, self-effacing style.

“I’ve always been blessed to work with great kids and to be at Catholic High,” Weiner says before the season. “A lot of it has to do with if you stick around long enough,” he laughs, “and, well, I’m old.”

Actually, he’s only 54. But here’s the thing: If he wins those first two games, Weiner will have 225—ta da!—career victories as a head coach.

Most came at Catholic, but he also notched plenty of wins as coach at St. John, Trafton (now Dunham) and Catholic High of Pointe Coupee.

The coincidences don’t end there: Weiner’s daughter, Amy, was a 225 blogger.

225. It’s a number they’ll always remember in the Weiner family.