Benway to take the reins as Eagle head coach During the Watonga School Board meeting Monday evening, the superintendent announced that Clint Benway, a 1995 graduate of WHS, will take over as head coach of the Eagles football program.
Benway has been coaching in Texas, but has never served as head coach, instead working in various capacities as assistant coach or specialty coach such as defensive coordinator or offensive coordinator.
Superintendent Kyle Hitlerbran gave Benway a glowing review, saying he has “The spirit and tenacity we are looking for. I’m looking forward to seeing him rebuild the program.” Hilterbran said Benway will be assisted by Tommy Kidwell and Thomas Lazenby.
For his part, Benway was also over the top excited.
“I just want to say thanks to everybody. They’ve been great since I decided to come home,” Benway said. He also said he hadn’t expected to be head coach, but everything fell into place. He has been coaching for 23 years.
“They’re backing me 100% and we’re going to play some physical football,” he said. A brief chat with his parents, who live in Enid now, uncovered that coaching is in Benway’s DNA. His father was a coach, as are his brothers. One brother is transitioning from a Texas school to coach at Altus.
The program may have to persevere through some rebuilding, but the future looks bright, as pointed out by middle school principal and coach Ty Hussy. He noted that the first week of sports pride camps had some 70 to 80 athletes turn out for training. Those students will inevitably filter into varsity sports in the coming years, giving Benway plenty of talent to work with.