Published: August 07, 2008 11:23 pm         

Kerr takes El Reno wrestling job

Shane Kerr, who resigned last spring as Enid’s wrestling coach after eight seasons, has taken a similiar position at tradition-rich El Reno.

The Indians won 11 straight state championships from 1996-2006 under now Oklahoma City University coach Archie Randle. El Reno also won 11 state dual championships.

“I’m very fortunate the position became open and they hired me,’’ Kerr said.

“It’s close to home (Geary) and that’s what I wanted.’’

Kerr is the second Enid coach to move to El Reno. Football coach Tom Cobble took the Indians’ job last winter. Kerr did his student teaching at Weatherford when Cobble coached there.

“It’s nice to have the head football coach as a buddy,’’ Kerr said.

Kerr’s best season at Enid was in 2007 when the Plainsmen qualified three wrestlers for state. The expectations at El Reno are far different.

“There’s pressure here,’’ Kerr said. “The community, the wrestlers and parents expect to win state titles. I’m excited to have an opportunity to have that kind of pressure

“I’m going to miss Enid. It’s a great town and a great community. It’s a different kind of pressure here. I’m going to have to step up. It’s going to be crazy, but it’s going to be fun.’’

Kerr wrestled at tradition-rich Geary, giving him an idea of what pressure will be like at El Reno.

“It’s kind of like my freshman year in high school,’’ Kerr said. “I was real nervous about it, but I was real excited at the same time. They return all of their state points, so they have an opportunity to do real well.’’