Post by The Admin on May 29, 2020 7:57:00 GMT -6
Cy Stallard's meteoric coaching rise leads back to Cleveland
www.tulsaworld.com/sports/high-school/high-school-column-cy-stallards-meteoric-coaching-rise-leads-back-to-cleveland/article_200f0fca-3d9e-520b-bdea-bb6ad1f4ce6b.html
www.tulsaworld.com/sports/high-school/high-school-column-cy-stallards-meteoric-coaching-rise-leads-back-to-cleveland/article_200f0fca-3d9e-520b-bdea-bb6ad1f4ce6b.html
Cy Stallard has ascended quickly in his coaching career to take the reins of his high school alma mater’s football program at Cleveland.
It was only 10 years ago that Stallard was Cleveland’s leading receiver for a second consecutive season.
Stallard, 27, was named Cleveland’s head coach three weeks ago after Ricky Ward resigned last month to join Pryor’s football staff.
“I am super excited,” Stallard said. “This should be an easy transition.”
Stallard was a Cleveland assistant for two years before moving to Choctaw as offensive coordinator last season. In 2019, Stallard guided a dynamic offense that averaged 38.3 points and set many offensive school records as the Class 6AII Yellowjackets reached the semifinals for the first time since 1965.
His quick rise as a coach began in the spring of 2015 following Stallard’s last college season as a player at Oklahoma Baptist. A sudden opening led to him being OBU’s receivers coach for two seasons and he also was the passing game coordinator.
As a receiver/defensive back at Cleveland, Stallard has career totals of 82 receptions and 186 tackles. Many of his receptions were thrown by his younger brother, Chas, who also has made a quick rise in his post-playing career as a player personnel assistant with the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens.
Cy Stallard has felt a connection with Cleveland football for a long time.
“I remember how excited I was when I was asked in middle school by coach (Dale) Anderson to be a ballboy,” Cy Stallard said. “I want Cleveland football to be a big deal in our entire community. I want to start them young with our second- and third-graders playing football and for them to have as much pride in Cleveland football as those playing in high school.”
He inherits a team that went 6-5 and qualified for the Class 4A playoffs last season — the Tigers’ best season since Chas Stallard’s senior year in 2012. Cleveland returns Asher Brewer, who rushed for 1,118 yards last season, and standout linebacker Caden MacArthur.
The quarterback will be junior Shain Hamilton, whom Cy Stallard describes as a “phenomenal athlete.” Hamilton was projected to be the QB next year, but his opportunity arrives a year early after his cousin, two-year starter Ben Ward, moved with his father to Pryor.
“I know our kids are itching to get back and get going,” Cy Stallard said as Cleveland and the state’s other high school teams are planning to resume football activities after they could not hold spring practice due to the shutdown for the COVID-19 pandemic.
It was only 10 years ago that Stallard was Cleveland’s leading receiver for a second consecutive season.
Stallard, 27, was named Cleveland’s head coach three weeks ago after Ricky Ward resigned last month to join Pryor’s football staff.
“I am super excited,” Stallard said. “This should be an easy transition.”
Stallard was a Cleveland assistant for two years before moving to Choctaw as offensive coordinator last season. In 2019, Stallard guided a dynamic offense that averaged 38.3 points and set many offensive school records as the Class 6AII Yellowjackets reached the semifinals for the first time since 1965.
His quick rise as a coach began in the spring of 2015 following Stallard’s last college season as a player at Oklahoma Baptist. A sudden opening led to him being OBU’s receivers coach for two seasons and he also was the passing game coordinator.
As a receiver/defensive back at Cleveland, Stallard has career totals of 82 receptions and 186 tackles. Many of his receptions were thrown by his younger brother, Chas, who also has made a quick rise in his post-playing career as a player personnel assistant with the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens.
Cy Stallard has felt a connection with Cleveland football for a long time.
“I remember how excited I was when I was asked in middle school by coach (Dale) Anderson to be a ballboy,” Cy Stallard said. “I want Cleveland football to be a big deal in our entire community. I want to start them young with our second- and third-graders playing football and for them to have as much pride in Cleveland football as those playing in high school.”
He inherits a team that went 6-5 and qualified for the Class 4A playoffs last season — the Tigers’ best season since Chas Stallard’s senior year in 2012. Cleveland returns Asher Brewer, who rushed for 1,118 yards last season, and standout linebacker Caden MacArthur.
The quarterback will be junior Shain Hamilton, whom Cy Stallard describes as a “phenomenal athlete.” Hamilton was projected to be the QB next year, but his opportunity arrives a year early after his cousin, two-year starter Ben Ward, moved with his father to Pryor.
“I know our kids are itching to get back and get going,” Cy Stallard said as Cleveland and the state’s other high school teams are planning to resume football activities after they could not hold spring practice due to the shutdown for the COVID-19 pandemic.
