Capitol Hill's Donny Tuley Finalist for National Coach of the Year

Tuley has coached at Capitol Hill for 30 years has not had a losing record since 1983.

Thursday, July 28th 2011, 6:07 pm

By: News On 6

Capitol Hill's Donny Tuley Finalist for National Coach of the Year

Originally Published: Feb 18, 2011 3:56 PM CDT

Jessica Coody
Oklahoma Sports Mobile Journalist

OKLAHOMA CITY – The month of June may not be a typical award season for high school basketball in Oklahoma, but that could change for Capitol Hill's Donny Tuley.

Tuley has been the head coach of the Redskins for 30 years, and is receiving some recognition for it. He's up for the National High School Athletic Coaches Association National Coach of the Year.

"I'm at a loss for words,” Tuley said. “Honestly, it's a great honor for me, a great honor for my school, and a great honor for the kids that have all played for me for the past 30 years."

Tuley recently found out he was a finalist for the award, but was nominated this past fall. Coach Tuley does not know the name of the person who nominated him, but is very grateful.

"It's a blessing, that's all it is," Tuley said. "The kids, the people that I work with, not only from a coaching standpoint but the teachers that I work with every day. I have never had an opportunity that has enticed me to the point where I would want to leave."

Tuley has had countless memorable moments in his 30 years as head coach, but had no trouble thinking of his favorite.

"I've had many, but it probably would be the first year that we had a winning season,” he said. “We were there two years and the third year we had a winning season, and that just changed it. We've never had a losing season since then. So since 1983 up to now we've always had a winning season, and that first one was a difference maker."