Former coach, teammates remember Austin Box

Current Enid football coach Tommy Parker, defensive coordinator under Tom Cobble when Box starred for the Plainsmen, recalled his former player.

“He was a great kid, just the ultimate competitor. He's the best athlete I've ever coached but more than that, he was the best competitor I've ever coached,” said Parker, who replaced Tom Cobble as Enid's head coach in 2008. “He was a real coachable player. He thrived on being coached.

“This is a sad, sad day for Plainsmen football and the Enid community. I'm not sure if this has hit me yet. Absolute disbelief. I wish I had other words, but I don't right now.”

Oklahoma State quarterback Clint Chelf, who played football with Box at Enid, said Box was “like an older brother” to him.

"He was the same age as my brother (OSU senior receiver Colton Chelf), and I always looked up to him,” Chelf said. “We're just in shock about this and can't believe what's going on."

More than a dozen OU football players issued condolences and tributes to Box on Twitter.

“R.I.P. Austin Box I love you bro,” wrote fellow linebacker Corey Nelson.