Broken Arrow head football coach resigns

The school sent the following release Monday afternoon.

Broken Arrow, OKLA – Broken Arrow head football coach stepping down for health reasons DEC. 2, 2013 – Broken Arrow Head Football Coach Steve Spavital has announced his intention to resign his coaching duties at Broken Arrow High School, citing health concerns as the reason for this change. “During the last few years, I’ve been battling several health issues that make coaching a challenge,” Spavital said.

“I am a competitor, and it’s frustrating to have my coaching performance limited by issues beyond my control. The players deserve a head coach who can give them 100%, and I have reached a point where I just can’t do that for them anymore.” Spavital has been coaching at Broken Arrow Public Schools for the past seven years. Prior to coming to Broken Arrow, he coached at Union Public Schools where he also worked as a teacher and principal. He has coached at both the high school and college level, and also spent time coaching semi-pro football teams in Canada.

“I’ve been coaching for more than 30 years, and I’ve had so many positive experiences,” Spavital said. “The people I’ve met, the young men I’ve coached – they’ve all made an impact on my life, and I hope I’ve been able to make a positive impact on them as well.” Among his accomplishments, Spavital was named the Coach of the Year in 1985-1986, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Coach of the Year in 1987 and he was the All-State Football Coach in 2005.

Spavital was 39-12 as the head football coach in Broken Arrow and guided the 2011 team to the 6A state championship game.

“Coach Spavital is a well-liked figure in the Broken Arrow community, and he has been a key player in bringing success to the athletic program in this district,” said Broken Arrow Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Jarod Mendenhall. “While we will respect his need to focus on himself and his family, he will certainly be missed, and not easily replaced.”

With Broken Arrow’s head football coaching position now open, the district will begin the process of finding a candidate to fill this role. “This position will be filled using a committee interview process,” said Athletic Director Ken Ellett. “The committee will consist of 10-12 individuals including myself, the high school principal and the assistant superintendent of student services.

The committee will be tasked with recommending two to three candidates to the superintendent for final consideration and hiring.”

The Tigers lost to Union in the 6A state semi-finals Friday night.