Surber leaving Tuttle's dynasty

After 12 consecutive state titles, coach set to become principal

Matt Surber has stepped down as Tuttle's wrestling coach.

Surber told The Oklahoman on Wednesday he accepted an offer to become the principal of Tuttle High. The move must b e a p p r o v e d b y t h e school board. I f a p p r o v e d , S u r b e r w i l l officially begin his new job on July 1.

“My i nfl uSurber e n c e o n t h e

wrestling team has been great but compared t o t he whole s chool has been small,” Surber said. “I t hink i t ' s going t o open u p a n o p p o r t u n i t y whe r e maybe I get to inspire teachers and students at a bigger level.”

Surber was interviewed last week and accepted the offer on Monday. He will replace Twylla Hester, who recently told school officials she will resign.

Surber took over the wrestling program i n 2006, and the Tigers dominated their c o m p e t i t i o n d u r i n g h i s tenure.

Tuttle won its 12th consecutive state tournament title this year, setting a record. The Class 4A Tigers had a record nine wrestlers win an indivi dual st ate championship and recorded the most team points (247) in state tournament history. Tuttle also won i t s 1 1 t h s t r ai ght dual s t ate title.

Surber's son, Luke, is one of the nation's top-ranked wrestlers of the 2020 class. After missing part of t he season with a broken right hand, he won the Class 4A state title at 182 pounds. He will wrestle at Oklahoma State.

Matt Surber said his decis i on t o qui t c oachi ng was difficult, but he is proud of the impact he had on the wrestling program.

“We've had kids go to a lot of places,” he said. “I'm most proud of t hat. The opport u n i t y t h a t wr e s t l i n g h a s provided our kids to further their education and, of course, all of the relationships and influences I've had over the years.”