As the 2025 school year approaches, athletic programs across Okmulgee County are undergoing significant transitions with new coaching hires that promise to energize teams, strengthen community ties and build on legacies of success. Beggs, Dewar and Morris schools have each welcomed new faces to their coaching rosters, setting the stage for an exciting new era in local high school sports.

From the hardwood in Beggs to the gridirons of Morris and Dewar, these leaders are ready to make their mark.

— Beggs welcomes Koby Love as new boys basketball coach The Beggs Golden Demons basketball program has officially brought back a familiar face as Koby Love takes the reins as the new Head Boys Basketball Coach.

Love, a respected coach with strong ties to the Beggs athletic community, shared his gratitude and excitement about returning: “I am truly blessed and humbled with this opportunity and I cannot wait to get to work and do big things. All glory to God! Go Demons!”

Love was set to host a parent meeting and introduction recently in the Demon Den, where he planned to distribute summer training information and answer questions from families. His vision for the Demons includes building a competitive, disciplined and faith-driven program rooted in community pride.

— Matt Ross takes helm at Dewar as Head Football Coach In Dewar, the Dragons are turning to a trusted and decorated leader to take the next step following a 2024 state championship season. Matt Ross, formerly the team’s defensive coordinator, has been promoted to Head Football Coach.

Ross, now entering his fifth year with Dewar Public Schools, brings experience across football, basketball and baseball. He also teaches history at both the high school and junior high levels.

“I love the Dewar Community and this school system! My goal is to build on the foundation already laid with the football program and lead with integrity. It’s not about me, it’s about our student athletes and helping make this transition as smooth as possible,” Ross said. “I am humbled to have this opportunity and hope to honor all those that have come before me with our play and respect for our tradition.”

Coach Ross is joined in his dedication to the school by his wife, August, a kindergarten teacher at Dewar, and their children Jadyn, Brileigh, Jameson and Kellen.

— Morris strengthens staff with key additions The Morris Eagles are gearing up for a new chapter in their football program with two significant coaching appointments: Brian Young as Offensive Coordinator and Nathan Leithead as a science teacher and football coach.

— Coach Brian Young – Offensive Coordinator Coach Brian Young, a Checotah native and former Eufaula Ironhead, brings with him decades of coaching experience and a history of high-powered offenses. A 1997 graduate of Eufaula High School, Young played baseball at Eastern Oklahoma State College before transferring to East Central University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in secondary education in 2003.

His coaching journey has included stops at Quinton High School, where he began as head baseball coach, followed by a long tenure at Checotah High School, where he coached football from 2005 to 2018 in various roles including running backs, receivers, secondary and quarterbacks. In 2017, he was promoted to offensive coordinator and made an immediate impact.

“In 2017 I became the Offensive Coordinator where our offenses averaged over 40 points a game,” Young noted.

He is also a successful entrepreneur, running Eufaula Boys Guide Service at Lake Eufaula. He and his wife, Kara, are parents to Diesel Byrd and Jalei Byrd.

“I am looking forward to working with the young men at Morris Public Schools,” Young said. “There’s a lot of talent in this area, and I’m excited to help mold a competitive and aggressive offensive unit.”

— Coach Nathan Leithead – Football & Science Coach Nathan Leithead joins Morris High School not only as a new member of the football coaching staff but also as a science teacher, bringing a well-rounded resume that spans elite-level playing experience and leadership at multiple schools.

Leithead, a native of Colorado and graduate of Pine Creek High School, was a standout All-State linebacker and helped lead his team to two 4A state titles. Over three years of varsity play, he logged more than 250 tackles and was named to the All-Colorado Team in 2015.

He continued his playing career at Oklahoma Panhandle State University, where he was a starter on two top-10 NAIA defenses and earned All-Conference honors in 2017, followed by recognition as the 2018 SAC Preseason Defensive MVP.

After graduating in 2020, Leithead coached at Guymon High School for three years, taking on responsibilities as interim defensive coordinator and special teams coordinator. Most recently, he served as Head Coach for Football, Powerlifting and Track at Canadian High School.

Coach Leithead and his wife, Shauna – whom he met while attending OPSU – are proud parents of two daughters, both of whom will be enrolling at Morris this fall.

“I am excited to join the Morris community and bring my passion for both science and football to the students,” said Leithead. “This is a great opportunity to work with young athletes and help develop them both on and off the field.”

— Building the Future of Okmulgee County Athletics These coaching hires underscore the commitment by schools across the region to foster strong, character- driven athletic programs. Each of these coaches brings with them not only years of experience, but a love for mentoring students and making a lasting impact in their communities.

Whether it’s through touchdowns on Friday nights or buzzer-beaters on the hardwood, these new leaders are poised to guide Okmulgee County athletes into a future full of promise, growth and championship aspirations.

— Meet the New Coaches at a Glance Beggs High School

• Koby Love, Head Boys Basketball Coach – Parent meeting: May 15 @ 6:30 p.m. – Demon Den — Dewar High School

• Matt Ross, Head Football Coach – 2024 State Champion Defensive Coordinator, History Teacher — Morris High School

• Brian Young, Offensive Coordinator – Football – Longtime football coach and offensive strategist

• Nathan Leithead, Science Teacher & Football Coach – Former collegiate athlete, head coach and defensive leader – As the countdown to summer workouts begins, all eyes are on the fields and courts of Okmulgee County – where new leadership is ready to shape the next generation of champions.