Faith on the Field: How Coach Denny Duron Inspires Young Athletes to Put God and Family First

“We have kids from everywhere, and this is a Christian school, but you don’t have to be a Christian to come here,” he said. “You don’t have to sign anything that says that you have a pastor or you’ve had some kind of experience with God. We want kids from everywhere because we feel like the message of the gospel is able to transform their thinking and their lives, and God just has drawn these kids. We can’t recruit them. It’s against the rules. …God just has to draw them here, and He’s done that for over 35 years, and we’ve seen so many kids’ lives changed.”

In the rough-and-tumble world of football, where grit, power, and skill are often seen as the ultimate keys to success, one coach is rewriting the playbook—and he’s doing it with faith at the forefront. Denny Duron, the head football coach and chancellor at Louisiana’s Evangel Christian Academy, has a clear message for his players: God and family come first, football comes third.

This deeply rooted philosophy is spotlighted in the new Fox Nation documentary, God. Family. Football., which shines a light on Evangel Christian Academy’s remarkable football program. Known for producing NFL talent and winning 14 state championships, Evangel is no ordinary high school football team. But what makes it stand out isn’t just its success on the field—it’s the unwavering commitment to prioritizing faith over the game, something Coach Duron ensures is woven into every practice, every huddle, and every victory.

“God is Involved in Every Play”

As Duron shares in a preview of the documentary, his daily mission is to teach his players that God is not confined to the four walls of a church. “So many [players] feel like God is compartmentalized [and that] He belongs in the sanctuary on Sunday morning, and He never leaves there,” Duron explains. “But we teach these kids the truth… we have a wonderful God who is active in every area and facet of our lives, and He will come into your world.”

For Duron, football is not just a sport; it’s a form of worship. “Every day, just before practice, we’re all in our gear, and we’re about to get after it. We start by saying, ‘God bless our worship in Jesus’ name,’ because we believe that everything we do that honors Him becomes an act of worship,” he says. In Duron’s eyes, the football field is just as sacred as any altar, and every game is an opportunity for players to glorify God with their actions, discipline, and teamwork.

Faith, Family, Football—In That Order

Evangel Christian Academy’s guiding principle is crystal clear: faith first, family second, and football third. It’s a lesson Duron instills in every player, pointing to the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:33: “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” The result is a program that prioritizes character over championships, and spiritual growth over touchdowns.

“We have kids from everywhere,” Duron says, “and this is a Christian school, but you don’t have to be a Christian to come here. We want kids from everywhere because we believe that the message of the gospel is able to transform their thinking and their lives.” For over 35 years, Duron and his team have watched lives change through the power of the gospel, as students from all walks of life are drawn to Evangel—not through recruitment, but through something deeper. “We can’t recruit them. It’s against the rules. …God just has to draw them here.”

A Legacy of Faithful Service

Duron’s commitment to service extends beyond the football field. He recalls the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, when Evangel Christian Academy became a beacon of hope for families fleeing the floodwaters of New Orleans. “I can remember standing at the buses as they pulled up, and these precious families getting out, their clothes still soaked from wading through the floodwaters,” Duron shares.

As families stepped off those buses, Evangel gave them three things: a hug, a blanket, and a moment of prayer. “When the people reflected on our time with them, the thing they mentioned most of all was the prayer—when we took a moment just to invoke the very presence of God and let them know that there is a God who cares for us in our tragedies.”

For Duron, this moment encapsulates the heart of his coaching philosophy: whether in victory or in suffering, God is present, and faith is the cornerstone. “When the storms come … we have got to be in touch with a God who genuinely cares. In tragedy or in goodness, He sees us through.”

Transforming Lives Through Christ

Denny Duron’s football program isn’t just about building athletes—it’s about building men of faith. Through Evangel Christian Academy, Duron is teaching a generation of young athletes that their identity is not found in their football achievements, but in their relationship with Christ.

The message that echoes through Evangel’s locker rooms is clear: trust Christ in every aspect of your life. Whether in the middle of a championship game or in the quiet moments off the field, God is there. Duron’s vision is simple but profound: football is fleeting, but faith and family last forever.

As Duron and his team continue their journey on the field and beyond, God. Family. Football. serves as a powerful reminder that in the game of life, faith is the ultimate play.