Muskogee Tabs Watkins As New Football Coach

Guthrie football coach Rafe Watkins has accepted the head coaching position at Muskogee High School, the school announced Friday.

"We're thrilled to have him," Superintendent Mike Garde said. "Coach Watkins comes with the experience to move Muskogee in a positive direction. His proven experience in 5A football will be beneficial in developing our students into champions on and off the field."

Watkins has been the head football coach/co-athletic director at Guthrie High School since 2001. During his time there, he led Guthrie to four 5A state championships, 2002, 2007, 2011 and 2013.

He was the 2013 District Coach of the Year and had a coaching record at Guthrie of 132-30 and overall of 146-46.

Watkins will be facing the task of rebuilding a Roughers program that hasn't had a winning season in the past five years. Muskogee last went to the playoffs in 2010, but was quickly eliminated by eventual state champion, Union.