As the 2025-26 school year approaches, school districts across Okmulgee County are gearing up not only with curriculum and classrooms, but also with revitalized athletic programs led by a fresh crop of talented and passionate coaches. Among the most exciting developments are the numerous new coaching appointments at Beggs Public Schools and Morris Public Schools, where seasoned veterans and rising stars alike are poised to make a lasting impact both on and off the field.

From state championship winners to first-year educators, this new wave of coaches brings a dynamic blend of experience, energy and dedication to academic and athletic excellence.

— Beggs Public Schools: Building a Culture of Excellence Beggs is laying the foundation for a new era in student athletics by filling several key coaching positions across its sports programs. The new hires reflect a thoughtful commitment to both competitive success and personal development.

—

Coach Koby Love – Head Boys Basketball Coach A familiar face returns to Beggs as Coach Koby Love takes over the reins of the high school boys basketball program. With previous assistant coaching experience at both Preston and Beggs, and a head coaching stint at Twin Hills that culminated in an ORES Division II State Championship, Love is eager to bring that same winning mindset back to the Demons.

“Hello Beggs! I’m excited to be back at Beggs Public Schools! I cannot wait to contribute to the special things in store for our boys basketball program,” said Love.

Love is a recent graduate of Northeastern State University, where he earned his degree in education. This fall, he will also serve as the 8th grade math teacher, blending his love of numbers with his desire to positively shape young minds.

“I look forward to furthering the academic and athletic prestige of Beggs,” he added.

Off the court, Coach Love is a proud family man. He and his wife Caitlin have been married nearly three years, and in late 2024, the couple welcomed their daughter, Casley.

— Coach Staci Carter – Assistant Girls Basketball Also joining the basketball staff is Coach Staci Carter, who will bring support, structure and mentorship to the girls basketball program. While Carter’s coaching resume continues to grow, her dedication to uplifting student-athletes is already well-established.

“I’m excited to continue my coaching career and even more excited to start molding young minds into their full potential,” Carter shared.

Her impact is expected to extend beyond the basketball court as she helps shape leadership, confidence and teamwork among young women in the program.

— Coach Robert Marek – High School eSports/History

Beggs is also expanding into new territory with the launch of a high school and junior high esports program, to be led by Coach Robert Marek. A firstyear teacher and recent graduate of the University of Central Oklahoma, Marek holds a degree in Political Science and will be teaching high school social studies.

“I’m excited to begin my teaching career at Beggs Public Schools! I couldn’t have picked a better community to start this journey,” he said.

A lifelong resident of Okmulgee County, Marek is the first Eagle Scout from Troop 102, a member of the Knights of Columbus and a former top-fourranked speech and debate competitor at Okmulgee High School.

His love of civic engagement and digital culture makes him a perfect fit to mentor students in this growing field of competitive gaming.

“I also enjoy gaming and recently built a PC to help sharpen my skills as an esports coach,” he added.

—

Coach Cody Pair – Head Baseball & Fastpitch Softball Coach Perhaps one of the most decorated additions to the Beggs staff is Coach Cody Pair, who will lead both the baseball and fastpitch softball programs. With more than a decade of high-level coaching experience and a 2022 Class A State Championship on his résumé, Pair brings instant credibility and ambition to Beggs athletics.

“Both programs have incredible potential, and I’m committed to helping our student-athletes grow as players and as people,” said Pair.

His coaching résumé includes tenures at Tahlequah, Oologah, Red Oak, Coweta and Claremore, where he has led teams to nine state tournament appearances, multiple semifinal and championship games and developed 42 collegiate players along with 11 All-State selections.

“My coaching philosophy emphasizes intensity, structure and resilience – values I believe prepare young people for success well beyond high school.”

Pair and his wife Amber, who will be teaching kindergarten at Beggs, have been married for 25 years. They enjoy following their sons’ college baseball careers – Chase, a senior at the University of Arkansas- Fort Smith and Chance, a sophomore at Frontier College in Illinois.

— Coach John Daniels – Football Coach/Middle School Geography Returning to his roots, Coach John Daniels is back at Beggs – the very place where his coaching journey began 26 years ago.

“I’m excited to be given the opportunity to join the excellence of Beggs Public Schools. This is where I started my career,” Daniels shared.

Armed with a B.A. in Social Studies Education from Northeastern State University, Daniels will serve as a middle school geography teacher while coaching football.

“The Beggs community has excelled academically and athletically. I am thankful to be able to contribute to both the classroom and the football field.”

Daniels and his wife Christina have been married for 30 years and are the proud parents of two daughters and two granddaughters. When he’s not coaching, he enjoys restoring old farm equipment.

His guiding principle as an educator and coach comes from his mentor: “If you’re not a good teacher in the classroom, you’re not a good coach.” – Henry Roland —

Coach Jess Driver – Head Slowpitch/Assistant Fastpitch In her third year with the district, Coach Jessica Driver is taking on a greater leadership role, now serving as the head coach for slowpitch softball while continuing as an assistant for fastpitch.

“I am looking forward to working hard for the girls program,” said Driver, who will also teach in the middle school.

She and her husband Branden are devoted supporters of local athletics and can often be found in the stands cheering on their sons Hunter and Fisher at sports events.

—

Coach Kerri Jackson – Head Cheer Coach Joining Beggs’ coaching staff is Coach Kerri Jackson, who will lead both the high school and middle school cheerleading squads in 2025-26.

Her arrival rounds out a well-balanced team of mentors and motivators committed to a strong culture of school spirit and athletic integrity.

— Morris Public Schools: A New Leader in the Dugout and on the Court At Morris Public Schools, the coaching staff is also expanding with the addition of Devon Hightower, who will coach softball and assist with basketball.

“I am very grateful to have an opportunity to work and coach at Morris,” said Hightower. “I’m excited to get the chance to develop students and athletes.”

This marks Hightower’s third year in coaching, and she’s already setting the tone for a season focused on growth, hard work and teamwork.

“I’m also looking forward to working with great people who have the best interest in all students!”

Outside of the classroom and athletic field, Hightower enjoys the outdoors – especially fishing, hunting and spending time with family. She also values her faith and church involvement, which she credits for keeping hergrounded and focused.

— A Year of Opportunity & Leadership With this influx of new energy, experience and commitment, Beggs and Morris are poised for a banner year of growth – both in the standings and in student development. From classroom teaching to game-day strategy, these coaches are helping to shape the next generation of leaders, athletes and citizens.

Whether on the court, field, or in the classroom, the 2025-26 school year is already proving to be one filled with new possibilities for Okmulgee County students – and it all starts with the people leading them.