With a renewed sense of purpose, a new coaching staff and a vision for the future, Okmulgee High School’s football program is charging into the 2025 season with optimism and determination. The Bulldogs have assembled a powerhouse lineup of experienced coaches, all driven by the shared goal of transforming the team’s culture, instilling discipline and fostering success on and off the field.
Leading this ambitious turnaround is new head football coach Dolphin Davis, a Tulsa native with deep roots in Oklahoma football. Joining him are offensive coordinator Chad Slane, defensive line coach D’Angelo Brown, offensive line coach Zane Farris and linebackers coach Derrick Burch. Together, this dynamic coaching team brings years of collegiate and high school experience, championship-level insight and a contagious enthusiasm that has already begun to energize the Bulldog community.
Born and raised in Tulsa, Coach Davis starred as a wide receiver and defensive back at Booker T. Washington High School before earning a scholarship to the University of Central Oklahoma. A devastating knee injury ended his college playing days early, but it opened the door to a passionate coaching career that began in 2015.
He’s since built his resume across Tulsa Public Schools, McAlester and prestigious stops at Booker T. Washington again, Independence Community College and Avila University.
But Davis’ return to Okmulgee is more than just a job – it’s a homecoming. “I used to live here when I Coach Dolphin Davis and his staff prepare the 2025 Okmulgee High School football team for the upcoming season during summer practices.
was coaching at McAlester and commuting. I have family ties here and Native American roots connected to Okmulgee,” he said. “I’ve always liked the small-town feel. The people are helpful, the environment is peaceful different than the bustle of Tulsa.”
For Davis, football is about more than wins and losses – it’s about culture and character.
“We’re here to change the narrative,” he explained. “We’re focusing on building new habits, instilling pride in putting in the work and making the work fun. It’s about changing that losing mindset. We want these players to enjoy the grind – and believe in themselves.”
Davis is also thrilled about a major step forward: five coaches will be in the building at Okmulgee Public Schools this year, serving as both instructors and mentors. “That was a big win for us. Having coaches in the building every day means we’re not just building athletes, we’re building young men.”
— Coach Chad Slane: Offensive Firepower with a Purpose
As the new offensive coordinator, Chad Slane brings an aggressive and creative approach to the Bulldogs’ playbook. With a coaching background that includes years in both Texas and Oklahoma, Slane is a proven offensive mind who emphasizes execution, tempo and adaptability.
Slane is excited about the potential he sees in Okmulgee’s athletes and is crafting a system that fits their strengths. “We’re going to run an offense that our guys can thrive in. We want to be multiple – we’ll spread it out, but we’ll also be physical,” Slane said. “It’s about developing IQ, reading defenses and playing fast.”
His teaching style focuses on accountability and learning through repetition. Slane believes the foundation of any successful offense is discipline and trust: “If we do our job every play, big plays will happen. We’re going to be exciting to watch.”
— Coach D’Angelo Brown: Building a Brick Wall in the Trenches Former Louisville standout and NFL defensive tackle D’Angelo Brown is anchoring the Bulldogs’ defensive line coaching. After a career that included stints with the Tennessee Titans, Indianapolis Colts and Green Bay Packers, Brown is bringing a professional-level mindset to Okmulgee’s defensive front.
His philosophy is rooted in toughness and technique.
“Football starts in the trenches,” Brown said. “We’re going to win with fundamentals. It’s about pad level, hand placement and relentless effort. I want our guys to be the most physical unit on the field, every game.”
Brown’s NFL pedigree instantly commands respect, and he uses his experiences to teach life lessons alongside gap control. “I’ve been where they want to go. Now, I’m here to show them what it takes, every single day.”
— Coach Zane Farris: A New Voice for the Offensive Line
The offensive line is getting a major upgrade under Coach Zane Farris, whose reputation for developing technically sound and hard-nosed linemen precedes him. Farris has a deep understanding of line play and brings a player-first mentality that prioritizes effort, growth and communication.
Farris believes the key to his unit’s success is building chemistry and trust.
“The offensive line has to be a brotherhood,” he said. “We block for each other, for the quarterback, for the team. It’s a selfless job, but it’s one of the most important.”
He’s also working to redefine the mentality up front. “We’re not just big guys – we’re athletes, we’re thinkers and we’re leaders. Our guys will be the tone-setters.”
— Coach Derrick Burch: Reviving the Linebacker Corps Coach Derrick Burch takes over the linebackers – a position he knows well both as a coach and former player. Burch brings a strong defensive background and a passion for motivating players to reach their potential.
“We’re going to fly to the ball and play with heart,” Burch said. “Linebackers are the engine of the defense. I’m teaching them how to read, react and hit with purpose.” His emphasis is on preparation, film study and toughness. “We don’t just want to react. We want to anticipate. And we’re going to be the smartest, hardest-hitting unit on the field.” — The Road Ahead: Rebuilding with Purpose
With this coaching team in place, optimism is surging at Okmulgee High School. The Bulldogs are looking to rebound from a string of losing seasons and restore the pride that once defined the program.
Coach Davis knows that transformation won’t happen overnight – but he sees the potential.
“We’re building brick by brick,” he said. “It starts with showing up, doing the work and believing that we can be better. That’s our mission every day.”
Davis and his staff are also implementing changes off the field. From weight room regimens to team-building activities, film sessions and player mentoring, every aspect of the program is being retooled with one goal in mind: sustainable excellence.
“We’re not just teaching football,” Davis added. “We’re developing young men to be leaders in their communities, in their homes and on their future teams – wherever that may be.”
— A Community’s Call to Action With energy building and change underway, Coach Davis is extending an open invitation to the community to come out and support the team, as the kids are working hard, and they need to see that their town is behind them.
From booster club involvement to game-day attendance, the Bulldogs are counting on Okmulgee to rally behind the team.
“It’s not just about what happens on Friday night,” Davis said. “It’s about pride. It’s about showing these kids that they matter – and that winning starts with believing in each other.”
As the 2025 season approaches, one thing is clear: Okmulgee Bulldog football is entering a new chapter – one filled with heart, hunger and hope.
While Okmulgee football has faced challenges in recent seasons, Davis is hopeful and focused on incremental progress. His approach centers on player development, creating a disciplined but engaging environment and redefining what it means to wear the Bulldog jersey.
He’s assembling a team that will reflect his values – resilience, pride and hard work – and aims to bring the community along for the ride.
As the Okmulgee Bulldogs prepare for the 2025 season, Coach Dolphin Davis is not just ushering in a new playbook – he’s launching a new mindset. And for Bulldog Nation, that’s a change worth rallying behind.
And under the guidance of a determined new coaching staff, that chapter might just be the beginning of something truly special.
— Mark Your Calendar
The Bulldogs’ season opener is fast approaching. Follow Okmulgee High School on social media for scrimmage and game dates, and be sure to pack the stands for what promises to be an exciting new era of Bulldog football.
