When it comes to his professional career, Josh Sumrall knows nothing but Coyle.

He’s been a teacher, a principal, the basketball coach, baseball coach and superintendent for all or parts of his 18 years at the school district.

“It’s the only place I’ve ever been,” Sumrall said.

Until now.

The Okarche Board of Education in a special meeting Monday night approved Sumrall as its school district’s next superintendent.

He’ll succeed Rob Friesen, now in his seventh year, who is taking the same position at Thomas-Fay-Custer.

“There are only a few jobs in this state I would have left Coyle for,” said Sumrall.

“Okarche is one of them. I think it’s one of the best jobs in the state and I know other superintendents who think the same thing.

“To have the opportunity to be a part of it is something I could not pass up.”

A graduate of Perkins-Tryon High School, Sumrall was an assistant boys basketball coach for Doug Scott while doing his student-teaching at Ripley High School in 2002.

The Warriors won the Class A state championship that season and a couple months later, Sumrall picked up his bachelor’s degree in history education from the University of Central Oklahoma.

“Coyle hired me after I graduated in May,” Sumrall said.

He coached the Bluejackets to the Class A title in his first season, 2003.After three years of being a teacher and coach, Sumrall started a fiveyear stint as a principal.

He was principal at the elementary and high school for three of those years.

That led to a 10-year stint as superintendentHe’s also added a master’s degree in school leadership and administration from Southern Nazarene University Sumrall is currently working toward his doctorate in school administration from Oklahoma State University, a program he plans to complete in December.

All the while, Sumrall coached. He’s been the boys basketball coach the entire tenure and served as baseball coach for many of those 18 years. He won his 300th basketball game toward the end of this season.

“That’s one thing I will miss...coaching” said Sumrall. However, he said he knowshe’s making the correct decision.

“It’s tough to leave somewhere after 18 years, but it’s the right move and we are definitely excited,” he said.

Sumrall said the decision to accept the Okarche position “was a family one.”

He and his wife, Jessica, will have been married 12 years in May.

His stepson, Kobie Sloan-Sumrall, will graduate as a valedictorian at Coyle that same month.

The Sumralls also have a younger son, 11-year-old Court, who is in fourth grade.

“They played a big part in this decision,” Sumrall said.

The entire family was at Monday’s board meeting.

“He had great qualifications, good experience and we felt he’ll be a great fit,” said Stephanie Jeffrey, Okarche board president

Jeffrey said there were a number of candidates who applied who had superintendent experience.

“We didn’t have that luxury last time,” she noted. “We definitely took advantage of that this time.”

Sumrall will meet some of his new staff this week. Like Friesen is doing at Thomas, Sumrall will spend time in Okarche as he can while also finishing out the school year in his current position.

He said he’s eager to make the move full-time.

“My family and I are very excited to get here andbecome involved in the community,” he said. “We’re very fortunate and thankful for the board giving us this opportunity.”