TOP 20 2021-22 COUNTDOWN, No. 6: New BHS football coach brings Wright stuff to the job
Mike Tupa
When it’s been good, Bartlesville High School’s football program has been very, very good.
When it’s been bad, Bartlesville High School’s football program has been very, very bad.
But, mostly the Bruin grid quiddity during the traditionally has been slightly below average to average.
In its 40 years of existence, the Bruins have recorded from three to five wins in 20 seasons.
The year-by-year results also include 12 seasons with six-or-more wins and eight seasons with two-or-fewer wins (including 23 straight losses during 1993, 1994 and partway into 1995).
To sum it up, Bartlesville’s grid destiny has pursued a roller-coaster pattern — intervals of great seasons — such as 8-3 in 1084, as 9-4 in 1988, 9-3 in 2009 and 10-2 in 2015 — separated by downturns and slow build-ups back to the peak.
It’s not surprising the Bruin grid story is heavily defined by coaching chances.
The first Bruin head coach Mickey Ripley started the football program off on a promising voyage — during his 12 seasons (1982-1993) in charge, Bartlesville recorded a 59-70 record and five playoff appearances. In his first 11 years, Ripley’s Bruins were just a game less than .500 (59-60).
But, in the 28 seasons since Ripley resigned in 1993, Bruin football has undergone a superfluity of landscape changes.
From 1994-to-2021, nine different coaches led the program to a combined 113-172 mark and four playoff appearances.
Hope is always as close as fresh leadership and the chance of stability it might provide — such as during the tenures of Ron Smith (2006-2010, 26-27, 2 playoff appearances) and John McKee (2011-16, 32-31, state semifinal appearance).
In January 2022, Bartlesville High Athletic/Activities Director Thad Dilbeck named Harry Wright as the school’s choice to become the 10th Bruin head football coach.
Wright and his staff will guide a young Bruin team rife with experienced freshman and sophomore players from the 2021 squad.
Wright’s credentials are impressive.
For the previous three seasons, he coached Lokoke (Ark.) High’s football team to 21 wins, the 2019 4A-2 Conference Championships and 2020 4A-2 Conference Runner-Up spot.
Wright also has coached on the Class 7A level in Arkansas.
A two-time NAIA All-American from Bacone College, Wright is starting his 15th season as a coach. His career record is 96-39.
During his first four months on the job in Bruinland, Wright stamped his impact on the program. He brought in several new assistants while retaining some of the current ones, including offensive coordinator Jason Munoz.
Wright also told the E-E he plans on putting his top 11 players on the field regardless of whether they go two ways or not, a marked change from last season.
Wright has tried to instill a sense of self-accountability for the players and also an emphasis on open competition for starting spots.
Ironically, Wright first applied for the Bruin head coaching job three years ago, but the school chose returning defensive coordinator Jason Sport for the opening.
Wright now has his chance — and likely will make the most of it as he the quest goes on to put Bartlesville football on a steady upward path of progress that will create a new culture of program momentum.
COUNTDOWN UPDATE
No. 20: Hornet hoopsters hush doubters
No. 19: Huskies grind to semis
No. 18: Trojans find a way
No. 16: Brown’s All-State style
No. 15: Cheers for Bruin hoops
No. 14: Eagle soccer teams soar
No. 13: Mallets heard ‘round the nation
No. 12: Height, speed and muscle
No. 10: Happy trails for Lady Mustangs
No. 6: Bruin football: The Wright Fit?