Late Jenks football coach Allan Trimble selected for NFHS Hall of Fame
Late Jenks football coach Allan Trimble selected for NFHS Hall of Fame
Allan Trimble’s legendary high school coaching career will be immortalized on a national level.
Trimble, who shaped Jenks football into a dynasty before his death in 2019, has been selected for induction into the National Federation of State High School Associations National High School Hall of Fame. The NFHS announced its 2023 class Monday, and Trimble was one of five coaches and 12 total honorees.
In 22 seasons, he led Jenks to 13 state titles, making history as the Oklahoma high school football coach with the most championships. In a news release, NFHS listed a few of Trimble’s many feats: he compiled a 39-game win streak, claimed 25 straight playoff wins and, from 1996-2001, guided Jenks to six championships in a row.
Trimble’s other honors include Sporting News National Coach of the Year, Russell Athletic National Coach of the Year, USA Today “Most Caring Coach” and membership in the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma Coaches Hall of Fame.
In April 2018, Trimble retired with a career record of 252-43. He was dealing with ALS, the disease that led to his death at 56 the following year. Jenks etched his name in school history, rechristening its home venue as Allan Trimble Stadium in August 2018.
Trimble, from Cleveland, was the sole Oklahoman in this year’s NFHS National High School Hall of Fame class.
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Football coaching carousel spins in OKC metro
For Carter Whitson, the term “spring break” was inaccurate.
The former Putnam City football coach spent the past week working and assembling his new staff. After three seasons as the Pirates’ head coach, Whitson has accepted the same position at Edmond North.
“They’re hungry to win,” Whitson said. “All we’re going to talk about is winning. We’re not gonna talk about rebuilding.”
The job opened because Tanner Roof, who had led Edmond North’s program since 2017, stepped into the coaching vacancy at Oklahoma Christian School.
Former OCS coach Brooks Stephenson had announced his decision in November to leave and pursue an opportunity in ministry.
He set the Oklahoma City-area coaching changes into motion.
Roof, who graduated from Minco, said the small-school environment of Class 2A OCS appealed to him.
“Sometimes, change can be good,” Roof said. “But I’m very appreciative of all the previous players, parents, administration. North is a special place.”
Whitson was drawn to Edmond North partly because of his family. His wife owns a women’s clothing boutique in the school district.
He also likes the challenge of boosting a football program.
When he arrived at Martinville High in Indiana and then at Putnam City, he had to turn each team around from a 1-19 record. It wasn’t a 180-degree flip with the Pirates — they went 4-7 last year — but it was a significant step up from one win in two seasons.
Edmond North showed flickers of progress before Whitson’s arrival. Last fall, the Huskies managed three victories in a tough Class 6A-I field four years after a winless season. But Whitson doesn’t want it to stop there.
He also hinted at intrigue surrounding his coaching staff, which will be revealed on social media.
“There might be some surprise names because of people that are interested in the job just like I was,” Whitson said.
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Parks, Lofton selected for USA Basketball minicamp
Two local high school girls basketball stars have been selected for the inaugural USA Basketball Women’s Junior National Team minicamp.
USA Basketball announced its list of 33 attendees Monday. In the class of 2025, two of 10 participants are from Oklahoma: Bethany guard Keziah Lofton and Norman guard Keeley Parks.
As nationally-ranked prospects, Lofton and Parks had standout sophomore seasons, each averaging around 20 points to help lead their teams. Lofton, ranked 10th in ESPN HoopGurlz’s class of 2025 standings, played a vital role as the Class 4A Bronchos won their first state title in program history. Parks, ranked sixth, guided Norman into the Class 6A finals against Edmond North despite dealing with injury earlier in the season.
Juniors, sophomores and freshmen were eligible to be selected for the USA minicamp. Players and coaches were selected by the USA Basketball Women’s Developmental National Team Committee. The participants will perform on-court drills and scrimmages, participate in a series of educational presentations and will attend the Final Four semifinals on Friday night.
“We are excited to have such a talented group competing at the first USA Basketball Women’s Junior National Team minicamp,” USA Basketball’s Women’s National Team director Briana Weiss said in a release. “Congratulations to the young women invited, and we look forward to seeing many first-time and returning players compete and learn.”
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Oklahoma Coaches Hall of Fame class announced
The Oklahoma Coaches Association announced its 2023 class of Oklahoma Coaches Hall of Fame inductees earlier this month. They will be recognized July 22 at the Southern Hills Marriott Hotel in Tulsa. Here are their names and their career-defining programs.
Jerry Bates, Tuttle softball
Billy Jack Bowen, Silo baseball
Will Ethridge, Edmond Santa Fe volleyball
Kevin Harrington, Lawton MacArthur boys basketball
Gary Hendrix, Fort Gibson boys basketball
Samuel Horsechief, Sequoyah Tahlequah cross country
Mark Hudson, Preston girls basketball
Jarrett Hurt, Claremore football
Craig Patterson, Kingfisher boys basketball
Linda Wiginton, Altus swimming
Extra points
● Heritage Hall football standouts River Faulkner and Cooper Cookson have announced their decisions to join OU’s football program as preferred walk-ons. Although they were seniors for the Chargers this year, they will arrive with the Sooners’ 2024 class. Faulkner was the Chargers’ primary tailback as they won the Class 3A state title. On defense, he and Cookson played linebacker.
● Army has recently extended several football offers to class of 2024 recruits in Oklahoma. The group includes Southeast defensive back/receiver LaDainian Fields, Ponca City receiver Gavin Cunningham and Oklahoma Christian School defensive back/receiver Henry Rothwell.
● Owasso freshman phenom Jalen Montonati received an offer from Kansas State’s men’s basketball program. Montonati’s season culminated with a Class 6A state semifinal appearance.
● Former Heritage Hall star Trey Alexander has reached the NCAA Men’s Sweet 16. The son of Douglass boys basketball coach Steve Alexander, Trey is a sophomore guard at Creighton. The Bluejays will face Cinderella team Princeton on Friday after eliminating Baylor, 85-76.
● As part of the OKC Dodgers High School Baseball Series, eight Oklahoma-based teams will play at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark between March 21-27. The OKC Bronchos, Tulsa NOAH, Oilton, Mason, Ardmore, Tishomingo, Geronimo and Fletcher will take the field.
—Hallie Hart and James D. Jackson, Staff writers
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Late Jenks football coach Allan Trimble selected for NFHS Hall of Fame
