Hall Ushers in New Era at BTW

Hall takes over one of the top football programs in the state, but the team spent much of last season in turmoil.

Thursday, July 28th 2011, 5:39 pm

By: News On 6

Originally Published: May 25, 2010 10:55 PM CDT

Kyle Dierking
Oklahoma Sports Mobile Journalist

TULSA, Oklahoma -- You can hear the bellows of a new beginning at S.E. Williams Stadium.

“We’ve got to pay attention to detail,” yells new Booker T. Washington football coach Darrell Hall. “That’s the only way we’re going to get what we want.”

Hall takes over one of the top football programs in the state, but the team spent much of last season in turmoil. Booker T. Washington had to forfeit three games which caused the then defending 5A Champions to miss the playoffs.

"Their sophomore year they were on a state championship football team,” Hall said of this year’s incoming senior class. “Last year they didn't have a chance to compete for it, so they feel slighted."

Former coach Antwain Jimmerson resigned in January and Hall was introduced as the Hornets new coach in March after winning a 4A championship with OKC Star Spencer in 2009.

As spring football got underway for Booker T. Washington, the sense of a new start was underway.

"I believe any time you change coaches there's always a new era starting,” Hall said. “I've got to set some goals, they've got some goals and we have to work together to get them accomplished."

"He came in like he's been here before,” said senior tailback Isaac Bennett. “It seems like he's been at home this whole time."

The Hornets are again expected to contend for the 5A title this season. While the pieces are in place to win now, Hall plans on switching to a 5-2 defensive front and may run the ball out of the I-formation more to accommodate Bennett’s bruising run style.

"There's going to be some new, they know that,” Hall said. “If it's going to stay the same, they would've kept the same coaching staff they had before."