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January 15, 2013

McMullen retires from Warner football but leaves the door open to return

By Kenton Brooks Phoenix Sports Writer

Family is the only thing that Chris McMullen is more passionate about than coaching high school football.

That’s why the Warner High School coach for the last three years is retiring to spend more time with his daughter and son.

“I have too much energy to completely shut it down,” McMullen said Tuesday. “I don’t have very many hobbies. I just wanted more flexibility in my schedule.”

The 55-year-old McMullen’s daughter Bailey is a junior cheerleader and soccer player at Keys, while his son Zac is a senior special needs student at Warner.

“I never get to see her do anything,” McMullen said. “My son graduates this May and I need more time to attend to his needs.”

The Okemah native steps aside after leading the Eagles to their first 10-0 regular season since 1998. Warner eventually lost 29-8 in the second round of the playoffs to Talihina, finishing 11-1. The Eagles beat Yale 40-6 in the opening round.

McMullen has coached for 33 years. He had an 18-13 record in his three seasons at Warner.

His other coaching stops have been at McAlester for nine seasons, Putnam City West for six years and then was the head coach at Stigler for a year, Tecumseh for six years and Bristow for three years. He was athletic director and assistant principal at Gore before taking over at Warner and replacing Curt Denton.

“I knew this time was going to come and I kept putting it off,” McMullen said. “I’ve got to do what I’ve go to do. I would like to come back as athletic director next year, if they will allow me to do that.

“I’m proud of what we accomplished at Warner, not only this last year but all three years. I want Warner to continue to be competitive.”

 

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