Bixby Head Coach Pat McGrew Resigns After 11 Seasons

Originally Published: Jan 4, 2010 11:4 PM CDT

Kyle Dierking
Oklahoma Sports Reporter

BIXBY, Oklahoma -- Pat McGrew stepped down as Bixby High School's head football coach on Monday afternoon. He took the Spartans to three 5A state championship appearances in 11 seasons as head coach.

"There's nothing negative about me stepping down, it's just the fact that I thought it was time," said McGrew in a phone interview on Tuesday morning. "I'm happy with it and my family is happy with it."

McGrew said he thought about resigning over the last couple seasons, but was glad he coached his son, Tyler, through his senior season in 2008.

He said when Tyler finishes college, the two "might venture out together" because Tyler wants to become a coach, so McGrew has not ruled out a return to coaching.

"There's always an open door for possibilities," said McGrew, who took the Spartans to the playoffs for 10-consecutive seasons.

McGrew will remain with Bixby Public Schools as an assistant athletic director and middle school science teacher.

The Spartans, who were the state runner-up in class 5A last season, will move to 6A this year.

"Whoever the coach may be that they hire at Bixby, he's got a lot of resources to be successful," McGrew said. "We've got a great group of kids coming back - the junior high and elementary are unbelievable, so it's something they can build on. We believe we can have success, but we don't know how long it will take."