The Oklahoma Coaches Association (OCA) has announced its 2025 Hall of Fame inductees, honoring 13 individuals for their outstanding contributions to high school athletics. The induction ceremony and banquet will take place at the Southern Hills Marriott Hotel in Tulsa on Saturday, July 26, at 6:30 p.m. during the annual OCA Coaches Clinic and All-State week.
This year’s inductees are recognized under two categories: the Coaches Hall of Fame, which honors those with at least 15 years as a head coach or 25 years as a head coach, head junior high coach, or assistant coach, and the Distinguished Service Award, which acknowledges individuals who have significantly contributed to Oklahoma athletics in other capacities.
Among the 2025 inductees are several coaches with strong ties to Okmulgee and Okmulgee County, including Ted Clement, Bob Craig and Rick Patterson.
— Ted Clement: A Legacy of Basketball Excellence Ted Clement, who led the Muskogee Roughers to their only state basketball championship in 1975, is being honored for his remarkable coaching career. Clement’s impact in Okmulgee dates back to his tenure at Dunbar High School, where he guided the team to the Class A State Runner-Up title in 1969. After Dunbar’s integration into Okmulgee High School in 1970, Clement transitioned to Muskogee, where he spent over a decade building a powerhouse basketball program.
Clement compiled an impressive 279-109 record as Muskogee’s head coach and was instrumental in the Roughers’ historic championship run. His 1978 team, which finished 24-4, is still regarded as one of the best in school history. Clement, who was previously inducted into the Oklahoma Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame, now adds the OCA Hall of Fame to his list of prestigious honors.
— Bob Craig: A Career Spanning Multiple Programs Bob Craig is another esteemed inductee with Okmulgee County connections. Craig had two coaching stints at Beggs High School and also led programs at Collinsville, Pawhuska, and Nowata. Over his career, Craig amassed 96 victories, demonstrating his ability to build and sustain competitive teams across various programs. His contributions to Oklahoma high school football have left a lasting mark, particularly in Beggs, where he played a vital role in shaping the program’s success.
— Rick Patterson: A Championship-Winning Football Coach Rick Patterson is being recognized for his successful tenure as a high school football coach, which includes two state championships in ten seasons at Morris High School. Patterson also held coaching positions at Nathan Hale and Hilldale, helping to develop strong football programs at each stop. His leadership at Morris cemented his reputation as one of the premier high school football coaches in the state. Patterson’s induction into the OCA Hall of Fame is a well-earned acknowledgment of his impact on Oklahoma high school athletics.
— Additional Inductees
In addition to Clement, Craig and Patterson, the 2025 OCA Hall of Fame class includes:
• Duke Atterberry (Pawhuska)
• Mike Corley (Carl Albert)
• Joe Gordon (Wagoner)
• Steve Hesser (Bartlesville)
• Harold Jones (Dale)
• Randall King (Broken Arrow)
• Steve Lykes (Piedmont)
• Matt Surber (Tuttle)
• Virgil Terry (Sallisaw) Receiving the Distinguished Service honor is Randy Gipson, a longtime women’s basketball coach at Northeastern State University.
The OCA Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on July 26 at the Southern Hills Marriott Hotel in Tulsa. The event is a highlight of the annual OCA Coaches Clinic and All-State week, celebrating the accomplishments of the state’s most influential high school coaches.
The Oklahoma Coaches Association Hall of Fame recognizes those who have made lasting contributions to high school sports, and this year’s class, particularly those with ties to Okmulgee County, represents the best in coaching excellence. Their dedication to shaping student-athletes and building successful programs has left an indelible impact on Oklahoma’s athletic landscape.
