Coach Willard and Coach Hurt were selected to coach the large east All-State teams in wrestling and football. What a great honor for both men and a great representation of the type of coaches we have here at Claremore High.
I was able to ask both of them a few questions about the experience and here is what they had to say. When asked what it meant to them to be selected and what they will always remember Coach Hurt said, “I was my dad's first All-State football player so it was special for both of us. I also made All-State in track. My dad also played in the All-State game in 1962. My dad coached in the All-State football game in 1999. Not too many fathers and sons both got to play and coach in the game, so it is very special for our family. My father-in-law was my coach in the All-State game. I will always remember the relationships with the guys I got to play with and the guys I got to coach. It's really all about the ships...the relationships not the championships. “
When Coach Willard was asked the same questions, his response was “It is a great honor because you are selected by your coaching peers. That means they respect you and your program. There are so many great wrestling coaches, so to be the one that gets to coach this team feels amazing. As far as what I will always remember it has to be getting my coaching All-State ring. I already have an All-State ring as an athlete from 2001, and it felt so surreal to get that ring which brought back all those memories from 20 years ago. I took the ring to my parent’s house and my daughter hung it on the wall next to my other one. That is what I will always remember.
We are so proud of these two great coaches and we know this will not be the last time they are recognized in their respected coaching rolls. Congratulations one more time to Coach Chad Willard and Coach Jarrett Hurt.