Elgin football head coach Jason Cunningham abruptly resigned his post Thursday, due to personal reasons as he cited his recent divorce.
Curtis Lorah, Elgin's current principal and former football coach from 2005-11, will take over as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season starting tonight in Elgin's home opener against Marlow.
"We were given and have accepted the resignation of head football coach Jason Cunningham, and we wish him the best," Elgin Superintendent Nate Meraz said in an official school statement. "Our number one concern is for the kids and ensuring that they have a seamless transition as they progress toward their goals of a successful season."
Once the season is over, Elgin will open up the position and begin its coaching search. Out of respect and deference to other schools, Meraz said they won't be calling prospective coaches during the season.
The administration will wait until the season concludes but then will immediately begin the search.
With Elgin's citizens having passed a bond issue, there is a new field house and new bleachers in addition to other amenities as some of the facility has recently been revamped. Meraz hopes that will draw the next perfect fit for the Owls' program.
"There are some positive things here as we'll look towards getting a terrific head coach in here to lead our program," Meraz said. "Looking ahead, we move onto the next phase which is hiring a permanent replacement and displaying the new facilities that they will be given the keys to."
Meanwhile, with Lorah stepping in to fill Cunningham's shoes in the interim, it provides Elgin with an in-house hire despite Cunningham's sudden resignation as the season just began. At the drop of a dime, Lorah was ready to step up and fill Cunningham's shoes.
"It is a blessing," Meraz said. "We got a gentleman (Lorah) who coached here for seven years and did so successfully. We are not throwing someone into the position. He is a quality football coach and is going to give our kids the best opportunity to win. We're thankful for that."
There is one current coach on the staff who was on Lorah's staff during his time leading the Owls. Two other members of the staff were coached by Lorah at Elgin.
"He's got familiarity with this system and these kids," Meraz said of the hire. "We are looking forward to having a good rest of the year."
Cunningham's resignation was entirely voluntary. Cunningham became too stressed in light of the divorce and said he felt the distraction wasn't fair to his team or his family. Moving forward, he plans to devote more time taking care of his two children, ages 15 and 13.
"I had to resign because I have to take care of me and my children first," Cunningham said. "I couldn't handle the stress of it all -- trying to put fires out while being in control of 80 kids. When I'm the football coach, I give it everything I got."
As for his future plans, Cunningham will work his way back to his coaching and teaching roots in Texas, specifically the Wichita Falls area where he has several coaching connections.
Yesterday, his eighth grade son had a game against Anadarko. So Cunningham was planning on going to the game with his daughter to watch as a family. It's a little different for Cunningham cheering from the stands rather than being on the sideline, but to him it feels wholesome.
"We're going to watch him play from the stands. After the game, I'm going to take him with me and we're all going to get something to eat," Cunningham said. "Then we're going to go home -- like a normal person."
Cunningham's favorite coaching memory of his time at Elgin came last September when the Owls upset their arch-rival, Cache at home. After a scoreless regulation, Elgin prevailed in overtime for an 8-7 victory. The Bulldogs were ranked sixth in the state in Class 4A at the time.
"We were a 30-point underdog," Cunningham said. "The kids dug deep and were able to beat them. I'll never forget it."
Big wins aside, Cunningham has enjoyed the unending support of the administration and the Elgin community more than anything. That's why he knows for certain his team is going to be alright.
"The administration has been amazing. I love the awesome community and the great people in it," Cunningham said. "The kids are tough and hard working, win or lose. These kids are in good hands."
Given the timing as the Owls still have a full season in front of them, they are aware of the adversity and uncertainty ahead. But the team isn't about to back down from this trial.
"As always, when life gives you a challenge you want to put your best foot forward and rise up to that challenge," Meraz said. "That's what we're doing right now."
Marlow, Elgin square off tonight
On an Elgin tangent, the Owls must immediately move forward in the wake of Cunningham's resignation tonight when they host Marlow in their home opener.
Both teams are looking for their first win. Elgin (0-1) played 2016 Class 3A runner-up Plainview neck-and-neck until late in the game when the Indians before handing Elgin a 27-12 loss last Friday.
Meanwhile, Marlow (0-2) lost a heartbreaker of its own last weekend by losing to Class 4A No. 6 Bethany 27-23 in a back-and-forth affair with multiple second half lead changes.
This should be a dandy, but these questions will likely determine the outcome.
Can Elgin stop the dynamic duo of quarterback Will Coffman and wide receiver Dawson Huddleston? Last week, Coffman and Huddleston connected for three passing touchdowns and annihilated Bethany's secondary.
Marlow will need a near replica performance from its two playmakers again tonight.
There was some concern in the preseason with the back end of the secondary, specifically at the safety spot. If Elgin can't get reliable help over the top and shut down the lethal Coffman and Huddleston combo, the Outlaws will have a field day.
Can the Outlaws contain Elgin's triple-headed running back monster? It's no secret. Elgin has three versatile weapons in the backfield -- each of which provides a different element to a great rushing offense.
Lewis Shepherd scored two rushing touchdowns last week in the opener. Along with Jonathon Brown and Pepper Ferrell, Elgin's rushing attack will be the primary concern for the Marlow defense.
Anadarko has week's toughest road trip
Anadarko has the honor of having this week's toughest road trip as the Warriors travel to No. 9 Clinton (4A).
It's not just an ordinary road game against a tough opponent. It's a rivalry game with another chapter.
Up until 2009, Clinton had won every meeting since 1973. Following 'Darko's win in '09, everything changed as the Warriors won head-to-head meetings four straight years from 2012 to 2015.
Clinton won by six last season. Another twist? After 'Darko won the regular season meeting in 2012, the Tornadoes turned around and beat the Warriors in the state finals.
"We've had a great rivalry with them over the last several years," Anadarko head coach Kent Jackson said.
Anadarko won its season opener against Chickasha last Friday, 44-0, but 15 first half penalties caused problems early on. Jackson knows those miscues can't exist against Clinton.
"We're certainly going to have to clean it up. We can't have any mistakes like last week," Jackson said. "We're going to have to move the ball. They run that flex bone, ball control offense. It's one of those games where we might have the ball only five or six times if we don't get them off the field because they can chew so much clock up."
A complete list of this week's games can be found attached to this column.