Madill’s Vargas accepts Durant job

  • Kingston senior Jesse Rouse signs his National Letter of Intent to play golf for the Southeastern Oklahoma State University Savage Storms in Durant at a ceremony Feb. 10 inside the KMAC. Joining Jesse at his signing were his grandmother Doris Rouse, and Kingston Golf coach Clayton Hodges. Matt Caban • The Madill Record
    Kingston senior Jesse Rouse signs his National Letter of Intent to play golf for the Southeastern Oklahoma State University Savage Storms in Durant at a ceremony Feb. 10 inside the KMAC. Joining Jesse at his signing were his grandmother Doris Rouse, and Kingston Golf coach Clayton Hodges. Matt Caban • The Madill Record

Durant— The search is on for the next head coach of the Madill Wildcat football program after Todd Vargas officially took the same position with Durant High School on Feb. 14.

The announcement was made during a Durant School Board meeting that afternoon.

Vargas had been the head coach at Madill for two seasons and had a record of 3-7 in 2019 and 4-6 in 2018.

He is taking over a 5A Durant squad that also went 3-7 this past year. The previous coach, Ray Richards had announced his retirement in January.

It was reportedly announced that Vargas will also be the Dean of Students for the Durant High School and the Assistant Athletic Director for the school district.

Vargas has 5A coaching experience as he coached at Altus from 2014-2018 with the final two years as the head coach. He also coached at Dickson, Marietta, and Plainview before taking the Madill job two years ago.

He graduated from Madill High School in 1990 and graduated from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 1995.

Madill Public Schools superintendent Larry Case said he is sad to see Vargas go but always wants to hire people that other schools want.

“When he made me aware that he was visiting with Durant, it was a great heads up,” Case said. “I hate to lose him. I feel like he energized our program because when I came here I felt like we needed that. That’s why I went after him. Of course, someone else made an approach and he went. It’s a bigger school; a 5A program. I’m thankful for everything he’s done. I feel like we’re moving in the right direction.

Case said Vargas’ contract goes through June 30 as he is a 12-month employee. Case added that Vargas will be released from contract once some things are tied up.

The opening at Madill has already made it’s way through coaching circles both in Oklahoma and Texas, Case said.

“Even though it’s not officially posted, I’ve already had people reach out,” he said. “And we’re gonna look at who we decide to talk to and when we decide who we’re gonna go after, we’re go after ‘em hard and bring ‘em for the best fit for Madill.”

Vargas’ Statement

Although initially unavailable for comment, Vargas submitted the below statement to The Madill Record on Feb. 17.

“Two years ago Lorie and I left a community, school, and a team that we loved to move back home to Madill. There was no doubt this was the decision that Lorie and I felt God lead us to. Once again we are making another decision to leave a community, school, and team that we love and move to a new community. One of the greatest pieces of advice that my parents ever gave me was to always be sensitive to what God was saying. To always listen for His direction and have enough courage to do what He says. Lorie and I have always tried to follow this advice. Every move that we have ever made was initiated by God and finalized by God. This move is no different. We truly feel that God once again is calling us away. We know that even though there is much discomfort and pain God always has a plan. Lorie and I are so thankful for the time that we have spent back home in Madill. We leave with no ill feelings. Our time here these past two years have been nothing short of amazing. I would like to thank Mr. Case for bringing us here and entrusting me with the reins to this program. Mr. Case has always supported me and I am so thankful for that. I’d like to also thank Mr. Ward for being such an incredible boss and always treating me with respect and dignity. I would like to thank the community for welcoming our family with open arms. We truly have felt at home here and we are so very thankful for the support. I would like to thank all of the staff of Madill Schools especially the High school. I loved my job and coming to work every day. I would like to thank the coaches on our staff for their hard work and diligence. They bought into loving kids and being more than just a coach. Finally, I would like to thank the players that I coached the past two years. I hope I made as much of an impact on them as they did on me. I will continue to pray for them and that they will be who God is destined them to be.