Beeby named Assistant Coach of the Year

The Guthrie Football program, although humbled, has gathered several honors in the past 12 seasons. Majority of those have gone to outstanding athletes, but the latest award belongs to an assistant coach.

Kelly Beeby was recognized as the Oklahoma Football Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year. The announcement came at the annual coaches meeting.

Beeby, who is set to begin his 10th season as the defensive coordinator at Guthrie, has brought a play hard, play physical mind-set to a BlueJay defense that has ranked among the best year in and year out in Oklahoma high school football regardless of class.

“If you look at the three championship teams – we played great defense,” head coach Rafe Watkins said.

The Guthrie defense has been one of the best in the state and a lot of that has to do with the tremendous pipe line of athlete’s, but it also has a lot to do with Beeby and the defensive coaches.

He has taken advantage of the athlete’s that he has been given, but when it comes to game strategy and halftime adjustments (when needed) there are a few that do it better.

“Play hard, play physical” is the common phrase you will hear often from Beeby whether it comes on a practice field, a playing field, a story article, or a pep speech.

Like  many coordinators, he can be loud, he can be intimidating, but the players, who show great respect toward Beeby, knows there is a reason behind it all.

Watkins originally tried to lure Beeby upon his arrival to Guthrie in 2001, but instead Beeby took the Chisholm head football job before coming to Guthrie three years later.

“He has turned down a lot of (head coaching) opportunities. I am obviously always glad when he turns them down because we don’t want to lose him because you win championships with great defenses,” Watkins said. “This is home to him and he likes it here and loves the kids and does a great job.”