Enid's Tommy Parker remembers Austin Box

OU linebacker and former Enid star Austin Box died Thursday. He was 22.

Enid football coach Tommy Parker was the defensive coordinator for the Plainsmen when Austin Box was starring for Enid.

Parker said he wasn’t sure the news of Box’s death had hit him yet Thursday afternoon.

“He was a great kid, just the ultimate competitor,” Parker said. “He’s the best athlete I’ve ever coached but more than that, he was the best competior I’ve ever coached.

“He was a real coachable player. He thrived on being coached. This is a sad, sad day for Plainsmen football and the Enid community.

“My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. I’m not sure if this has hit me yet. Absolute disbelief. I wish I had other words, but I don’t right now.”

Box, a linebacker for Oklahoma, died Thursday. He was 22. He was a star at Enid before his time with the Sooners and helped the Plainsmen reach the state championship game in 2006.

Parker replaced Tom Cobble as Enid’s head coach in 2008.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com