Late Okarche coaching legend to be inducted in July, ranks second all time in wins
By Trey Hunter
Sports Editor
Ray West, longtime Okarche boys basketball coach and math teacher, will be inducted into the Oklahoma Coaches Association Hall of Fame this summer.
West, who coached in Oklahoma for 45 years, passed away in August after being diagnosed with cancer earlier in the summer. He was the state’s active wins leader and ranks second all time with 853 career victories. He helped lead the Warriors to the Class A state semifinals in his final season.
“I know he would be very proud and humbled by the accomplishment,” Ray’s son and current Okarche coach, Aaron, said. “It’s a really neat thing for him and our family and it recognizes all of the hard work and accomplishments he had throughout his career. It’s a great honor.”
West spent 25 years at Okarche, leading the Warriors to the state tournament 11 times, including the trip to the semis in 2018. He also coached at Fort Supply, Gould, Purcell, Mustang, Mountain View and Cordell during his career.
Aaron likes to point out that his dad not only had a passion for coaching, but one for teaching as well.
“He considered himself a teacher first and a coach second,” Aaron said. “He taught match for 38 years and would grade papers after games or after practices. He was always making sure his students came first. He was a major part of so many kids’ lives.”
West will be inducted along with Steve Edwards (Glenpool), Kyle Fowler (Spiro), David Glover (Kingfisher), Phil Ingersoll (OKCPS), Gary Looper (Bishop McGuinness), Jeff Myers (Kingfisher), Steve Patterson (Union, Jenks), Jerry Walker (Fort Gibson) and Bill Young (OSU).
The introduction ceremony and banquet is scheduled to be held at the Southern Hills Marriott Hotel in Tulsa on Saturday, July 25 at 6:30 p.m.
“I haven’t been around another coach or person that put in as much time and effort for the sport and the kids,” Aaron said of his dad. “Some coaches are set in his ways. He wasn’t. He evolved and adapted and was truly great at what he did.”
