Stillwater names Tucker Barnard head coach

Following a two-moth search, Stillwater Public Schools believes it has found its man to help lead the athletic program.

Former Shiloh Christian (Springdale, Ark.) assistant Tucker Barnard was approved by the Stillwater Board of Education on Monday night to become the school’s head coach in football and the athletic director. His duties as athletic director will begin next school year.

Former coach Rusty Atkins resigned following a 1-9 season in 2010. Athletic director Butch Lingenfelter said he is going to retire after this school year.

Barnard was a coordinator for the Arkansas powerhouse Shiloh Christian for the last seven years and spent the last six as the defensive coordinator. Shiloh Christian won four state championships in Barnard’s tenure, including the last three years.

Barnard graduated from Woodland High before graduating from Oklahoma State in 1998.

Barnard’s duties won’t officially begin until March 21.

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Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com