Jackson returning to coach Anadarko
ANADARKO — A familiar face will roam the sidelines at Anadarko football games this fall.
Kent Jackson, Anadarko's longtime football coach who stepped down to focus on his administration duties with the school following the 2017 season, is back as its head coach. And he brought along some familiar names to join his staff.
Jackson built Anadarko into a power, winning two state titles and a runner-up finish during a three year span from 201113. After a two-year hiatus, he returns along with former star players as assistants and a twotime state championship winning coach, Shannon Watford, as his offensive coordinator.
“There was still a passion to coach,” Jackson said. “Talking to Shannon, I told him if he would be my offensive coordinator, I would apply for the position. And now we're back together.”
Jackson replaces Chris Paddlety, who was his longtime assistant.
Watford coached at Anadarko during the 2006 season after a stint at Chickasha. He eventually won back-to-back Class 2A state titles at Hennessey in 2011-12, the same time Jackson had one of the state's most dominant teams at Anadarko.
Those teams were so mighty in part to running back Sheldon Wilson, The Oklahoman's AllState Offensive Player of the Year in 2011, and quarterback Brandon Pollard, who started every game in 2012-13 and lost only once, the state finals in 2012.
Wilson will coach running backs and Pollard wide receivers. Wilson had one of the best seasons in state history during 2011, rushing for 3,335 yards and 64 total touchdowns as Anadarko thrashed opponents.
Even with the help of Pollard and Wilson, Jackson said the alumni support this summer has helped rekindle a spark within the program.
“We had former players coming all summer long to help out,” Jackson said. “That's huge for our current guys because they get to see how passionate people are about their success.”
Jackson also brought back Darren Coole to run a sixweek performance course during the summer to help get Ana dark o' s players ready to play. Coole came to the program in 2009 and helped develop the dominant teams of the early 2010s.
Jackson has high expectations for the Warriors, who are coming off a 4-6 2019 campaign. He said it seems everyone is antsy waiting for the season to start.
“People are excited, the kids, f ans and coaches,” Jackson said. “It's good to be back.”