End of an era

The architect of one of the most successful eras in Ville Platte High girls’ basketball history will no longer patrol the sideline as Dorothy “Dot” Doulet has made the official announcement that she is stepping down as the head coach of the program.
Doulet, a Ville Platte High product, has served at the helm of the Lady Bulldog squad for the last 11 years and has guided Ville Platte to seven district titles and 11 playoffs, including four Top 28 appearances. Under Doulet’s tutelage, the Lady Bulldogs garnered two state runner-up trophies and have sent eight players to the next level.
The decision to step down was a difficult one for Doulet. But, according to the humble mentor to a number of young women throughout her career, it was the right decision.
“It has been a tremendous honor to represent Ville Platte High and the girls’ basketball program for the past 11 years,” stated Doulet. “However the time has come for me to embark on the next chapter of my life. I know that I will miss coaching these young ladies, but I have no regrets. I can step down with the knowledge that I gave my best on and off the court,”
“My hope is that I have been able to teach more than the X’s and O’s,” Doulet continued. “I have always tried to empower these young women to be productive and successful citizens in their community.”
Doulet’s introduction into the world of basketball came as a player when she was in the 5th grade at James Stephens Elementary School. Doulet continued play at James Stephens in the 6th grade and then moved on to junior high basketball at Ville Platte High School.
The talented Doulet showed enough skill that she was able to work her way onto the high school varsity squad while still in junior high. As a freshman, Doulet earned her way into a starting job, playing with some of the most gifted basketball players the parish has ever known.
“Being able to start as a freshman was as blessing in disguise,” said Doulet. “We had some girls that could flat out play. I really worked hard in high school and thankfully Coach (Elton) Williams saw that I had it in me to help the team.”
In her senior year, Doulet got the first taste of what it was like to play in the highest levels of the playoffs when Ville Platte High made it to the semi-finals. The Lady Bulldogs lost to Caldwell High School, but that just cemented her desire to coach.
“When I was a senior in high school, I thought I was going to enter the military,” commented Doulet. “But, at the last minute, I changed my mind and decided to go into education. I majored in physical education thinking it would lead me into coaching.”
Doulet entered Grambling University and began her journey toward her education degree. During her junior year, Doulet married her husband Jesse and began having a family of her own.
With the mom duties kicking in, Doulet turned her attention toward her family and their needs. She left Grambling with an associate’s degree and then took a job as a paraprofessional in the Evangeline Parish School System.
After 18 years of serving the school system in the capacity of a paraprofessional, Doulet returned back to school and finished her bachelor’s degree at LSU-A.
“I had already set my goal of making sure that I earned my degree,” stated Doulet. “My husband had a good job and I wanted my children to be taken care of. Once that was complete, I told my husband, it was my turn. I look at it as a ministry to other people who have started their degree and never finished. You are never too old to go back and get your degree.”
During those 18 years at a paraprofessional, Doulet’s passion for basketball did not go unchecked, as she was able to coach on the junior high level at both Mamou and Ville Platte High. Once Williams made the decision to retire from the school system, Doulet was given the opportunity to become the head girls’ basketball coach at her alma mater.
“I was so excited to get the chance to coach on the same court as I had played on in high school,” said Doulet. “I immediately started preparing myself for the job. The best thing for me was to get myself ready for all the aspects of coaching on the high school level. Fortunately, the girls on the team had already had me as a coach in junior high, so it made the transition a bit smoother.”
The first year Doulet’s tenure, the Lady Bulldogs took home the district and parish championship. Unfortunately, Ville Platte could not advance past the first round, as they fell to Red River High School.
The success of that season and the ability of Doulet to reach her players on both a professional and personal level allowed the Lady Bulldogs to thrive like no other team throughout the area. Doulet parlayed her hard work and dedication into an overall record of 243-97.
Doulet’s knowledge of the X’s and O’s aside, one of the most prominent features of her coaching career was her ability to make sure her players knew she was there for them off the court as well.
“The biggest hurdle for me was getting the girls to buy into my program,” commented Doulet. “I tried to be versatile, so that I could work with each individual. My goal has always to humble myself and target their needs as a team and a person. I wanted them to know that not only can I coach you on the floor, but I can coach you in life skills as well.”
Doulet’s ability to get the players to take hold of her philosophy of “Focus-Discipline-Reward” allowed her teams to gel both on and off of the floor. The best indicator showing the philosophy has suited Doulet and the Lady Bulldogs, the post-graduation success of the majority of her former players.
Doulet’s self-effacing personality has always been a part of her coaching and personal life. That personality came through with the utmost clarity when she mentioned all of the people that had helped make her successful throughout her career.
“First of all, I want to thank my family for allowing me to do what I love to do,” stated Doulet. “They have been there every step of the way and has made it easier for me to become the complete coach. Next, I would like to thank Mrs. Kelli Lafleur (former Ville Platte High principal) for giving me the incredible opportunity to coach the game I love.”
“To all of my assistant coaches, trainers, statisticians, desk operators, former players and parents, I want to say thank you for buying into my system,” Doulet continued. “It was a system that required sincere passion, participation and positivity, which put the student first and the game of basketball second. Without you, that system would have failed.”
For now, Doulet will continue to coach the Ville Platte High cross country team, something she has done for the last 10+ years.
No doubt, the same fire that has driven Doulet to the successes of her life will remain throughout the rest of her journey.