Updated: Woodbury Football Coach Takes Stillwater Job

Beau LaBore, 's head football coach since 2005, announced Wednesday night that has accepted the same position with Suburban East Conference rival Stillwater.

“Stillwater has a very proud tradition in football and I want to be a part of that,” LaBore said. “I am also looking forward to being part of a community with one school district and one football team.”

The Stillwater football team has been without a head varsity coach since Scott Hoffman retired after the 2010 season. Hoffman posted a 64-49 record in 11 seasons leading the Ponies after taking over for longtime coach George Thole.

"We're very excited," Stillwater athletics/activities director Ricky Michel said of the hire. "Beau brings with him a lot of energy and enthusiasm; he knows a lot about Stillwater and its traditions and understands how important football is to the community."

LaBore succeeded Paul Herzog as Woodbury head coach after the latter resigned following the 2004 season and compiled a 26-33 record with the Royals. 

Prior to coming to WHS, LaBore served as the defensive coordinator at South St. Paul, where he went to high school before playing collegiately for St. John's University in Collegeville.

Woodbury struggled in the early years of the LaBore era as his teams went 1-8 in both 2005 and 2006 before breaking even at 5-5 in 2007.

“We really didn’t see progress until year three; 2007 was a good season—2008 was a great season,” LaBore said.

The Royals team of 2008 went 9-2, defeated Stillwater—the only time a LaBore-led squad defeated the Ponies—and went to the Section 5AAAAA final before losing to Cretin-Derham Hall.

For all the highlights of that season, the coach’s favorite was the first—a 21-20 win at Mounds View in the season opener, clinched on a two-point conversion run in the fourth quarter.

“The Mounds View game was a great start,” LaBore said. “We made the play we had to make over and over again; we made great things happen in that game and it set us up for a great year.”

WHS retreated from that peak as the opening of in Woodbury ate into the Royals’ supply of players. With many of those who were raised wearing blue and white suddenly switching to black and gold uniforms, Woodbury dropped to 6-4 in 2009 before posting a 4-6 record last fall.

Still, LaBore does not see his former team as one in decline.

“There is a lot of professionalism in this program,” he said. “There are great facilities and great people involved in this program. I have a lot of strong and significant relationships with those I worked with and for, as well as the student/athletes I taught and coached.”

LaBore said he leaves “with a heavy heart” but looks forward to the opportunities to come, albeit at a neighboring rival.

“I’ve given a lot of my life, time, effort and passion to Woodbury High School as both a teacher and coach,” he said. “Woodbury is important to me and I want nothing but the best for the program and the players here.”

While the former coach did not speculate on a replacement, WHS activities director Jason Schultz confirmed that the open position has been posted on the District 833 website and that applications will be accepted until March 4.

Whoever his successor is, LaBore wishes them well.

“They are going to have the benefit of a strong foundation at Woodbury," he said.