'It's a brotherhood': Mike Dunn becomes first Carl Albert alum to coach football team to state title

EDMOND — Wearing a bright red Carl Albert sweatshirt, Mike Dunn sat next to senior quarterback Reed DeQuasie in the end zone and grinned.

As water cascaded down the rocks behind them at Chad Richison Stadium, Dunn and his Carl Albert football team held up their pointer fingers, officially able to declare themselves No. 1.

Then they drew attention to another number.

“Everybody say 17!” someone shouted before snapping a picture.

With a 49-7 win against No. 6 McAlester in the Class 5A finals, the top-ranked Titans had just claimed their 17th state title. They won four of those golden trophies when Dunn played for them.

But this one was different.

Friday afternoon, he became the first Carl Albert alumnus to lead the program to a state championship, and the Titans’ second-year head coach fought back tears as he talked about the achievement. Throughout the week, several of his high school teammates sent him text messages showing support, he said.

Oklahoma Class 5A football:Carl Albert beats McAlester for sixth state title in past seven years

“It means a lot,” Dunn said. “Once you’ve played here, it’s for life, and just a really, really special place.”

After coaching at Del City for four seasons, Dunn returned to his alma mater in 2021, following four-time state champion coach Mike Corley. He thanked Carl Albert principal Kristin Goggans for hiring him and believing in him.

The expectations to lead a program with a glowing football legacy were high, but Dunn relished the opportunity.

He’s a Carl Albert Titan through and through. That allegiance shows in his red hoodie. It’s evident in his passion for leading the team.

And it’s clear in the way he not only guided the Titans (12-2) to a state title, but also motivated them to win in dominant fashion.

“These guys have supported me and never flinch,” Dunn said. “I feel like they’ll run through a wall for me, but it’s for all the coaches. And for everybody involved with Carl Albert. These kids are Carl Albert for life, and it’s a brotherhood.”

More:'Who is that kid?': How Xavier Robinson tore up Carl Albert football's record book

In Dunn's first playoff run as Carl Albert’s coach, Collinsville stunned the Titans 27-20, shattering their 17-0 record in semifinal games. This year, Dunn and his team made sure that didn’t happen.

They stormed past Del City, 19-0. Then they spoiled Grove’s undefeated season with a 55-21 semifinal victory, and the Titans carried that approach into the title game.

Carl Albert’s tenacious defense shut out McAlester for the majority of four quarters. The Buffs didn’t score until Carter Lance caught a 24-yard touchdown pass from Caden Lesnau with 21 seconds left.

The Titans claimed a 7-0 lead with Trey Washington’s 21-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter and didn’t let up. Junior tailback Xavier Robinson led the Titans with four total touchdowns, not only tallying 180 rushing yards and 22 receiving yards but also throwing a pass for one score.

Robinson has played for Dunn for two years, and the significance of Dunn’s win as a Carl Albert alumnus is not lost on him.

“I’m speechless, and I’m not big on words,” Robinson said. “He’s a great coach. He really helped me out, and he pushed me through a lot of things.”

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Mike Dunn first Carl Albert alum to coach football team to state title