Engle appointed NPS athletic director

By Everett Brazil, III

The Newkirk Herald Journal

NEWKIRK — Kevin Engle is no stranger the Newkirk Public Schools (NPS) athletics. A graduate of the Class of 2004, he participated in several sports in his high school career, and has been a teacher and coach for many more years across central and eastern Oklahoma. He now brings that experience full-circle as he has recently been appointed the NPS athletic director.

Engle, who has served as NHS principal since 2017, assumed the role following the departure of former athletic director Graham Snelding, who left NHS the take a position at Konaw, Okla. High School.

Engle was active in Tiger sports in high school, competing in football and wrestling. During those years, he was honored as All-State in football and was a state qualifier for wrestling. The coaches he competed under helped steer him on a path to coaching and teaching.

“I always liked sports, and during school, my coaches had a positive impact on me, and hopefully, I’ll have a positive impact on other kids,” he said.

Engle received a Bachelor’s degree in education from Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Alva, where he focused on social studies, and a Master’s in education administration from Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Weatherford.

His career began in Ft. Gibson, Okla., where he would teach social studies. He would later teach social studies and coach football, baseball, wrestling, track and basketball in Mounds, Okla. and Ponca City, and served as principal and athletic director in Deer Creek-Lamont. He came back to Newkirk in 2017 as a principal at NHS.

While principal at NHS, he has served as an assistant coach for the Tiger football team, although he is not currently coaching in any specific capacity, and has no plans to do so in the coming future.

As for his position as a coaching director, he is ready to lead the NPS athletic program and looks forward to the 2020-2021 seasons, including the Tiger football program.

“I think we have a good coaching staff. I look forward to working with them,” Engle said. “They have the kids’ best interest in mind, and I want what’s best for (the kids).”

At the end of the day, it is about the coaching and the impact it has on the players, and Engle looks forward to keeping a positive atmosphere in NPS athletics.

“Coaching is fun, a blast. It’s about being around the kids, other coaches, being outside of the classroom,” he said. “The kids get to know you in a much better light.”