Longtime Midwest City coach steps down
Midwest City football coach and athletic director Darrell Hall last week announced he is stepping down after 12 seasons. He accepted a position as assistant director of transportation with Mid-Del Schools. Photo by Jeff Harrison
By Jeff Harrison
Midwest City Beacon
For the first time in more than a decade, Midwest City High School is looking for a new football coach and athletic director.
Veteran coach Darrell Hall announced he is stepping down after 12 seasons with the Bombers. He accepted the position as assistant director of transportation with Mid-Del Schools.
Hall has been coaching for 25 years, including 21 as a head coach. He won state championships at Star-Spencer and Booker T. Washington before coming to Midwest City in 2012. He led the Bombers to the state semifinal three times during his tenure.
Hall said he had considered the position of assistant transportation director but didn’t think he was ready to leave coaching. He had a change of heart earlier this spring.
“We had a parent meeting, and I got home and wasn’t as fired up as I needed to be,” he said. “All I ask of my guys is to give it 100 percent. I didn’t think I could give them 100 percent and thought it was in the best interest to let them find someone that can do that.”
During his coaching career, Hall has tried to help his players become successful on the field and in life. He stays in contact with his high school coach and does the same with many of his former players.
“We know tough times are coming for everyone and it’s our job as coaches to give these young men the tools to be successful in life,” he said. “Athletics will end one day.”
The new open transfer rule is making it harder to teach those life lessons, Hall said.
“I don’t think it does the kids any good,” he said. “In the process of becoming a great athlete, you need to learn how to deal with adversity.”
Andy Collier, executive director of athletics and student activities, thanked Hall for his service to the district and Midwest City football.
“Darrell Hall is a hall of fame coach and not many coaches have won state titles at multiple schools and taken a third school to the semifinals,” Collier said. “And he’s done it the right way. People don’t always utilize what they have, and they’d rather poach kids from other schools. He’s never bought into that. He knows that teaching life lessons and teaching young men how to be a good dads and good husbands is way more important.”
Collier said he’s received a lot of interest in the vacancy. He’s looking for a coach who can build off Hall’s legacy and strengthen all the athletic programs at Midwest City.
He hopes to have a new coach hired within the next few weeks.
