New MWC football coach hired

Midwest City’s new varsity football coach is “excited” about his new job with the Bomber gridiron program.

Darrell Hall, formerly of Tulsa Washington, also will serve as athletic director. Hall replaces Steve Huff, who resigned to take another football coaching job in College Station, Texas.

During an interview Monday at the Mid-Del Board of Education meeting, Hall said he’s ready to get under way with his new coaching post. Hall officially was hired Monday night.

“I’m filling some big shoes. Coach Huff did a great job and we’re all fighting the beast from the east,” he said, referring to Class 6A football powers Tulsa Union and Jenks. “I plan to give an honest day’s work and I’ll expect the same of my young men.”

Hall, a former Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper for five years, knows a lot about imposing rules and laws. He also worked as

Seminole police officer for a year after graduating from East Central University where he received a scholarship to play football.

He also knows a lot about winning, having led Tulsa Washington to a state championship in 2010. Hall also coached at Star Spencer High School for seven seasons and led the Bobcats to the Class 4A title in 2009.

“I know I’m losing a great group of seniors, but these younger guys have learned to win and they’ll take the steps necessary to continue winning. We’re going to continue the talk of winning state championships,” Hall said. “Winning a state title is why we’re here. It used to be that a state championship went through Midwest City.”

Hall said he’s already met with his assistant coaches and players, “looked at tape and the roster.” But, he said, it’s too early to talk about offensive and defensive schemes for next season.

Who will stay?

There’s still a question mark which assistant coaches, if any, will leave the Bomber program and follow their former boss to College Station, Texas.

“I’ve heard some assistants might go.

We’ll just have to see what’s available and look to fill those slots,” Hall said.

Hall knows what it’s like to leave a program on the verge of greatness. Tulsa Washington just completed a new football facility that rates at the top in Oklahoma.

“You’ve got to believe I wanted to be here with all of that waiting in the wings,” he said. “I consider this more than a football team. It’s the Midwest City High School family. We have to look at the final product and what type of individuals we are turning out.”

Hall describes himself as “straight-forward, honest and demanding.”

But, he says, Bomber players will never be asked to “do something they can’t do.” In addition, Hall said he’s fair to all players.

“Names don’t play. Kids play,” he said.

“There are no exceptions to the rule. As coaches, we’re judged by our wins and losses, but I’m more concerned with our kids graduating from Midwest City High School.”

Trooper days

Hall said he intends to use his experience as a law enforcement officer to help motivate and guide his players.

“I want to help kids make good decisions,” he said. “Even though I spent five years as a trooper, I think I make a bigger impact as a coach. Once a kid is cuffed and in the car, they’re probably going to lose. At this level and with coaching, you can prevent stuff like that from happening.”

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