Lonoke (Arkansas) football coach Harry Wright headed to Oklahoma school

Wright has served at Lonoke the past three seasons and compiled a 20-13 record, reaching the playoffs each of the past two seasons.

By Kyle Sutherland | Photo by Jaison Sterling

Lonoke head football coach Harry Wright has resigned and will take the same job at Bartlesville High School in Oklahoma.

Wright has served at Lonoke the past three seasons and compiled a 20-13 record, reaching the playoffs each of the past two seasons. Wright led the Jackrabbits to a second-place finish last fall in the 4A-2 conference before falling to Ashdown in the first round of the playoffs.

Before coming to Lonoke, Wright was the defensive coordinator for Bentonville West for four years. He is a native of Eufala, Okla., just a two-hour drive south from Bartlesville, and spent time at multiple other schools in his home state. He mentioned being closer to family as one of the primary reasons for the move. 

“My wife’s family is there,” Wright said. “Having a nine-year-old son and being able to get him closer to family as opposed to being five or six hours away was a big factor.”

Wright, who will also serve as the assistant athletic director at Bartlesville, is expected to meet with his new team Wednesday night, after he and his family arrive in Oklahoma. Though this is an exciting time, Wright mentioned coaching changes are always bittersweet, and he is grateful to have been a part of the Lonoke program. 

“I really loved it [at Lonoke],” Wright said. “There were never any issues as far as I did not want to be here. The kids, the parents, they all supported me the whole time I was here, but ultimately it was a family decision. My family has made sacrifices for me so many times, and now I am doing what is best for them. I was completely bought-in during my time here and it will be the same way in Bartlesville.”

Wright takes over for Jason Sport, who resigned in December after posting an 8-23 record over three seasons.