Broken Arrow’s shuffling of athletic department responsibilities that resulted in a self-discovered reporting of an Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association rules violation has led to Rusty Stecker being promoted to associate director of athletic compliance and stepping down as boys basketball coach after 14 seasons.
Former East Central coach Beau Wallace, who moved to Broken Arrow as an assistant last month, will succeed Stecker as head coach.
Stecker had a career record of 232-86 at Broken Arrow and led the Tigers to eight state tournaments in 14 seasons.
“It had been in my heart to someday move into administration,” Stecker said. “I’ve always been someone who has embraced change and I am so excited about this new challenge.”
In his final season, Stecker led the Tigers to their first state tournament berth since 2008 and lost 55-52 to champion Edmond Memorial in the Class 6A quarterfinals.
“The timing for the change is right,” Stecker said. “If we hadn’t had such a good season, it might have left a little bit of a bad taste to have that as my last season.
“But the kids really developed and peaked at the right time, and I don’t have a bad taste at the timing. It was a great year and I am proud of what we’ve accomplished in basketball at Broken Arrow. We’ve built on what John Phillips started as coach with the state title in 1997 and I am leaving the program in very good hands.”
Wallace was a leader on that ‘97 championship team and later was an assistant under Stecker at Broken Arrow before moving to East Central for five seasons. Wallace was 64-53 at East Central and led the Cardinals to two state tournament berths, including a state runner-up finish in 2012.
“It’s an honor for me to have this position,” Wallace said. “I’m ready for the challenge to take Broken Arrow to a new level.
“It’s kind of bittersweet with all the things going on, but you take what is given to you and make the most of it. I am going to work my tail off and I’ll be in his (Stecker’s) office quite a bit. He’ll help tremendously with the transition. He’s done a great job for Broken Arrow basketball.”
Stecker’s new job will involve overseeing all OSSAA compliance issues and serve as a liaison to the OSSAA.
Broken Arrow superintendent Jarod Mendenhall said about the changes involving Wallace and Stecker: “Beau Wallace is one of our own. We’re excited to have him. I hate the circumstances under which this is happening. I wish we could have (a) press conference celebrating Mr. Beau Walllace’s move as boys basketball coach. He’ll do a fantastic job. He knows Broken Arrow. It’s a positive thing in a negative type of situation.
“Rusty is such a man of character and he has done such a great job with our basketball staff. He is a class act. I am excited about him becoming a full-time administrator.”
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