Choctaw football coach Todd Dilbeck retires
was officially hired by the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association on Wednesday, signaling his retirement as Choctaw’s head football coach.
Dilbeck’s hire as an assistant director who, among other duties, will oversee officiating for the OSSAA was approved by the board of directors at their regular meeting.
“It’s bittersweet because I’ve coached for 34 years,” Dilbeck said. “Hanging the whistle up is tough.”
Dilbeck is filling the vacancy created when former executive director
left last fall. Following promotion into Sheakley’s role, it was determined — who currently oversees officiating — would assume some of Jackson’s duties and hand over officiating to the new staff member.
Dilbeck, who will move into his role on July 1, is looking forward to working with the officials, and has meetings with multiple officials’ organizations around the state over the coming days.
“I’ve always respected officials,” Dilbeck said. “Over my 34 years, I didn’t always agree with calls, but I always respected the person who was doing their job.
“I’m anxious to meet the officials. I want to do a great job for them. I want to be their advocate, just like I did for my kids and coaches for 34 years.”
Dilbeck gained his most acclaim when coached Mustang to the 2005 state championship game with players like and After that season, he left to join college coach at Rice for one season.
When Graham moved to Tulsa, Dilbeck chose to return to high school coaching at Alma, Ark., and remained there until he was hired at Choctaw in 2013.
Under Dilbeck, Choctaw reached the playoffs for the first time in 30 years, making back-to-back appearances in 2014-15.
Dilbeck’s career began as an assistant at Casady, followed by a stint at Plainview, where he held his first head-coaching job, adding head wrestling and track duties as well.
He spent time at Westmoore, Allen, Texas, and Tahlequah before heading to Mustang.
Private-school rule adjustment approved by member schools
In a narrow vote, OSSAA member schools approved a change to the private school rule regarding success-based classification changes. The new guideline in Rule 14 will adjust the measurement of success of non-public schools to a three-year period.
Previously, a private school would have to move up in classification if it finished in the top eight in the state playoffs in three of five years. The new rule shortens the requirement to two top-eight finishes in a three-year period.
The rule change passed by a vote of 200-156 and will go into effect July 1.
Other rule changes approved by the members include the elimination from the OSSAA handbook of the 90-percent school attendance rule regarding athlete participation. The rule was essentially unnecessary, since schools maintain their own attendance guidelines for athletes to participate in sports.
Schools also approved a measure allowing subvarsity participation for a student-athlete in a dual-residency situation until the student comes into compliance with the residency rule.
Lincoln Christian’s Melton appointed to board
Lincoln Christian athletic director and head football coach appointment to the OSSAA board was approved unanimously.
Melton will take over the spot on the 15-member board reserved for an athletic director. Serving on the board does not affect his role as head coach at Lincoln Christian.
He fills the slot vacated by Washington athletic director who resigned in January after he applied for the vacant position on the OSSAA staff.
OSSAA guidelines do not allow an applicant for a job on the staff to also serve on the board.
Football revenues strong despite dip from last year
Jackson reported to the board that the football season produced revenue of $522,410.03 for the 2016 season. While the number was down from last year’s record mark of $644,435.39, Jackson said it was still a productive season.
Comparatively, the 2014 season, which saw the playoffs hit by multiple postponements because of winter storms, produced just over $280,000 in revenue for the association.