New Putnam City Football Coach Raises Expectations For Program

Months after getting the job, new Putnam City head football coach Carter Whitson met his guys.

"June 8th was my first team meeting,” Whitson said. We met up there and we social distanced in the stands and we sweat a little bit together."

Whitson’s message was simple.

“I’m here to win state championships….They were 1-and-19 the last two years and I said that to them they got big eyes. I said guys, that's all we're going to talk about."

Whitson was supposed to start teaching at Putnam City in March after spring break, but then everything got shut down. So, with his move from Indiana to Oklahoma City put on hold, Whitson went to work building his coaching staff from 700 miles away. One great conversation later, and former OU All-American Rufus Alexander was the Pirates' new defensive coordinator.

"We had a Zoom call he said hey Rufus, Carter Whitson I played walk-on wide receiver, I said dude I know who you are,” Alexander said. "He's allowing me to make it my baby and build it with these young kids."

Walter Boyd will coach the offensive line. He played at Tulsa, 12 years of coaching experience and is eager to help these kids grow into men.

"Great husbands and fathers, dads, that's the whole goal. To be able to help influence decisions off the field,” Boyd said.

As for the goal on the field.

"Putnam City Football should be one of the best in the state -- best on the west side of the state and that's what we're going to get to,” Whitson said. “These guys are ready to do it."