Story provided by Stillwater Public Schools

Stillwater Public Schools announced the hire of two head coaches following a May 12 meeting of the Stillwater Board of Education. Scott Morris will helm the boy’s basketball team, Ethan Kyle will lead wrestling, and both will assume physical education teaching duties. The new coaches bring substantial coaching experience to the district.

About Coach Morris:

Scott Morris comes to Stillwater following 19 years as Head Coach for Northern Oklahoma College Women’s Basketball. Morris’s record at NOC includes 456 wins and five trips to the NJCAA National Tournament. 

“Coach Morris is a highly respected and accomplished coach,” says Stillwater Athletic Director Tucker Barnard. “He started the program at NOC Enid and has had great success there. His leadership experience will be a great asset to us.”

A graduate of Tonkawa High School, Morris played basketball for two years at Northern Oklahoma College Tonkawa and two years at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. He began his coaching career as an assistant coach at NOC, followed by several years as a head coach at Drumright and Woodland High Schools. He assisted at Oklahoma Christian University while completing a Master of Education degree from the University of Central Oklahoma. In 2001, he assumed the head coach role for NOC Enid’s women’s basketball program during its first year.

“I think my teams have been characterized as having discipline and being prepared,” says Morris. “We try to build on the fundamental cornerstones of industriousness and enthusiasm. I truly feel called to cultivate the process of growth and development in these young men’s lives.” 

Morris hopes the things he teaches translate to success off the court as well. “Obviously we strive for excellence on the court but also in areas much bigger than sports!”

Morris is looking forward to the move to Stillwater. “We are extremely excited to be joining the Pioneer community! I think there is a huge challenge ahead, but I feel humbly prepared for the responsibility and looking forward to this journey with great optimism!”

About Coach Kyle:

“The opportunity to lead a program in the birthplace & epicenter of modern American wrestling alone is very enticing,” says Kyle. The 2007 graduate of Oklahoma State University returns to Stillwater from the University of Wyoming, where, in addition to completing a master’s degree in kinesiology and health in 2015, he has served as Associate Head Coach for Wrestling.

“Coach Kyle’s time at Oklahoma State and as an assistant coach at the Division 1 level is a unique level of experience that he will bring to our athletes,” Barnard says. “We are excited about his passion to build upon the previous success of Stillwater Wrestling.”

During his time at OSU, Kyle was a member of four national championship teams and served as Team Captain as a senior. Kyle was a graduate assistant for OSU Wrestling before heading to UW. His coaching career includes 11 seasons, 12 NCAA All-Americans, and 5 top 25 team finishes, 3 Big 12 Champions and 24 Academic All-Americans. 

Kyle appreciates the long history of success for Pioneer Wrestling. “When you look at what the sport of wrestling means in Stillwater, the tremendous amount of support from the community, there’s just so much opportunity to be part of a program that is in a place to focus on excellence and striving to push our individuals to greatness.”

“Starting day one, I know that I’m joining a Pioneers program that is in great shape, from the grassroots kids program that is top notch, up to a really strong group of returning SHS student-athletes. I get to continue what Coach Chesbro has cultivated over his great career.”

Kyle knows it’s not just about athletics. “ When I realized the amount of academic success Stillwater Schools are having as well, it seemed like the perfect place to be to teach and coach to the highest level.”

“I’ll challenge our student-athletes on a daily basis to push beyond their comfort zones in every aspect of life,” says Kyle. He looks forward to leading a great staff that will “model the clear expectations and standards to uphold, provide positive feedback and constructive criticism to create an environment of growth & development.”

Barnard is pleased with the new additions to the coaching staff. “Both of these men impressed us with their passion and knowledge as well as being men of strong character and high integrity.”