In search of a new head coach to continue rebuilding the football program, the Madill school administration turned to a gridiron skipper with a proven track record.
Wade Couch was recently chosen as the new Wildcat head coach after serving the last few years in a multitude of coordinator positions on the eastern side of the state. This past season he served as defensive coordinator at Eufaula after being at Spiro prior to that as the offensive coordinator for a playoff squad.
Still, Couch felt the itch to return to the sideline as a head coach for the first time since 2012 and a connection to Madill superintendent Victor Salcedo peaked his interest in coming south to Marshall County.
“I was looking for an opportunity to be a head coach again and knew the Madill superintendent pretty well after working together previously at Eufaula,” Couch said. “It was an opportunity to reconnect with him and a chance to work with a program that has an opportunity to build something special.
“When I came to visit I really fell in love with the place. The facilities are great and there are so many positives. I am excited about the opportunity and am excited to meet some of the returning players as soon as possible.”
After graduating from Northeastern Oklahoma State University in Tahlequah, Couch embarked on a coaching career in which he coached all over the field. His first head coaching job came atAftonwherehefinished1-9 inalearningdebutcampaign.
He later moved on to be head coach at Central Sallisaw where he rapidly built the Tigers into a regular state contender, going 7-4 in his first season and then 10-2 in hisfinaltwocampaignsatthe far eastern Oklahoma school.
During his 26-year coaching career, Couch is no stranger to Class 4A as he was assistant at Fort Gibson when the squad reached the state championship game in 1999 before losing to Weatherford.
“I know it’s going to be a challenge but I love competition and love playing the best teams in the state,” Couch said. “People like Tuttle and Blanchard are legacy programs and that’s where we want to get. There is talent up and down Class 4A though. It’s an appealing opportunity and I am looking forward to it.”
Couch’s ideal scenario is to hire an offensive coordinator where he could just be the CEO all over the field, but if that doesn’t play out he said he would be fine with calling the plays on the offensive side. While the defensive side is expected to remain close to the same scheme-wise, Couch is not so sure about the offense where he will adapt to what best fits the players he has.
“Our offense will fit the talent of the kids,” he added. “We ran a spread offense at Spiro when I was there and ran the ball when we needed to. I don’t really know how we will play until I get to see the kids on a more consistent basis. Defensively I am familiar with what they did last year and am comfortable with what Coach Patterson was doing with them. We may try to tweak a few things in techniquebutlikelystaywith a similar scheme.”
Thenewheadcoachknows that developing more numbers within the program will be a critical part of the rebuild as the Wildcats were easily outnumbered by opposing teams in the amount of players in uniform.
That will also be vital in helping to establish depth for a team that struggled in that department in the 2024 season.
“Hopefully I can get there early, meet the kids and spend time with them,” Couch commented. “I want to let them know I like to have fun, want to win and do things with enthusiasm and excitement.
I want to do everything I can to help other programs as well and add to our participation numbers across the board.
“Nobody likes to lose, so I understandwhythenumbers might be down some. Hopefully the kids will give it a shot with what we want to do. I want us to get to know each other and help each other as well as we get this turned around.”