Barry Lewis: Gordon's responsibility doubles at Okmulgee

BY BARRY LEWIS World Sports Writer
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
7/24/12 at 3:21 AM

Kevin Gordon knew he would be busy this summer as he prepared for his first season as Okmulgee's head football coach.

Gordon, however, has an even bigger workload than he expected.

A few weeks ago, Gordon was named Okmulgee's athletic director after Jason Culler left to become Glenpool's AD.

"It's very busy, but I love it," Gordon said while attending the Oklahoma Coaches Association clinic on Monday at the Marriott Southern Hills. "I love the people in Okmulgee."

Gordon was East Central's defensive coordinator for eight years before being hired by Okmulgee in January.

The Cardinals perennially were a state title contender that had a strong defense during his stint there.

East Central won a Class 5A state championship in 2005 and was a state runner-up in 2010.

Gordon is joined at Okmulgee by three other assistants who moved from East Central - Drew Hordubay, DeWayne McIntosh and Brian Jones.

"That's helped the transition," Gordon said.

Gordon inherits a program that went 0-10 last year and 1-19 over the past two years.

"We've got good kids and good athletes," Gordon said. "We're trying to change the mindset here and trying to teach the little things that it takes to win. This is a great community."

Gordon's list of players to watch include fullback-defensive end Steven McGlorie and quarterback-safety Keith Dungee.

"Both could have played at East Central," said Gordon, who also is impressed by tight end Tremaine Thomas.

Gordon has been in coaching 17 years and is a graduate of Langston, where he played for Ron Aiken, now an assistant with the NFL's Arizona Cardinals. Gordon also was a defensive coordinator at Rogers and a co-defensive coordinator at Bacone.

"It's going to be fun," Gordon said.

Sperry names coach: Sperry has hired former Oral Roberts assistant Justin Timmerman as its new head baseball coach.

Timmerman was Liberty's head coach last season. He had returned to Oklahoma for family reasons after being a head coach for three years at Boca Raton, Fla., where he coached two pro draftees, including current ORU pitcher Alex Gonzalez.

"Justin has a lot of experience," Sperry athletic director Mike Haney said. "He graduated from Skiatook so he's very familiar with the baseball traditions at Sperry."

Union ranks high: Union finished No. 5 nationally in the MaxPreps Cup standings for overall athletic excellence during the 2011-12 high school year.

Union's state titles in football, boys basketball, boys swimming, softball and girls golf were counted in the MaxPreps Cup. Union's title in Dual State wrestling was not included.

American Heritage of Plantation, Fla., was No. 1, followed by Summit of Bend, Ore., at No. 2, Carmel (Ind.) at No. 3 and Honolulu Punahou at No. 4.

Edmond North was ranked No. 14.

"We have some great coaches and we had some great athletes whose years of hard work were rewarded," Union athletic director Emily Stone said. "It's great to see them being recognized."

All-State replacements: Owasso offensive lineman Chance Russell has been named to replace Bishop Kelley's Frankie Arndt on the East roster for Friday's football game.

Also on the East roster, Okemah offensive lineman Kyle Smith will replace Pawhuska's Jeremy Iron.

Asher infielder Matt Palmer replaces Afton's Dusty Henry for the Small East in All-State Baseball on Tuesday.

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