Update (Feb. 7 at 4:30) — Rafe Watkins has been named the head football coach at Muskogee High School.
Muskogee High School may have found their next head football coach. Multiple sources are reporting Guthrie’s Rafe Watkins could soon be offered the Class 6A position.
As of late Thursday evening, Watkins is not commenting if he has been offered or has accepted the Rougher’s position.
Watkins has guided the BlueJays to a 133-30 record and four state championships since 2001.
A search committee narrowed down the list of 50 applicants down to seven for the Muskogee position. From there, seven candidates were selected and were interviewed this week.
The Muskogee Phoenix confirmed, along with Watkins, that McAlester’s Bryan Pratt and Dale Condict of Wagoner were among the three finalists.
Both Pratt and Condict were notified on Thursday that they were finalists, but withdrew during the conversations.
Much like in the Broken Arrow coaching search, Watkins does not wish to comment on the situation until school officials make an announcement, but does admit he spoke with Muskogee officials on Thursday.
“We are now in conversations to bring closure to this process,” Superintendent Mike Garde told the Phoenix. “Unfortunately, we cannot release anyone’s name to the media at this time, but we will let you know as soon as we close a deal.”
Watkins was just recently a finalists for the Broken Arrow position before the school offered the position to David Alexander last week.
The Roughers have struggled for wins over the last several seasons by just winning 16 of their last 52 games, including a 3-7 record in 2013. However, beginning next season, Muskogee will play in 6A’s new format in Division II. Now, the Roughers will not have to compete against the likes of Jenks, Tulsa Union and Broken Arrow for a state championship.
The Muskogee coaching position opened up when Josh Blankenship announced he was headed to Tulsa University to coach under his father.
THANKS FOR BUILDING A GREAT PROGRAM IN GUTHRIE. BEST OF LUCK TO YOU IN MUSKOGEE. YOU WILL BE MISSED BUT CAN’T BLAME YOU FOR NEW VENTURE.
What is the unknown here? Why is Watkins trying to get out of Guthrie all of a sudden, he has built a Powerhouse
Yep!
Just ask a few high school kids and you’ll find your answer. I don’t want to be the one here to disclose the indiscre
*indiscretions
No leave the kids alone! The so called adults in this town could take a lesson from the kids. If you asked the football team if they want Coach Watkins to stay, they would overwhelmingly be in favor of him staying. The rumor mill has been busier than usual & it seems people with personal vendettas of their own have sacrificed their own morals & character to try and assassinate the character of others. Remember, what comes around, goes around. Good luck in Muskogee Coach Watkins, they are lucky to get you.
Be careful who you are defending…. Being I was involved by association and know the rumors are true, you will come off looking the fool when it is all exposed. If you knew any of the story you would atleast know he was forced to resign, no kids or unknowing parents can stop that fact! Js
The only fool on here is the one claiming to be “in the know” & hiding behind a pseudonym, is it Jb or Js that has all of “the facts”? Hmmmm, must be no one that has much of life & has to try & destroy others’ lives anonymously. Typical coward
Lol your dumb…… js = just saying
Coy Betchan for head coach!!!!
It’s actually you’re dumb, but you’ve proven my point. Thanks!
Great Coach, it would have been interesting to see if school system would have stuck to their guns and for Rafe to stay and face the music from the community.