CPHS Wrestling: Head Coach Kelly Smith resigns for private sector job

CPHS Head Coach Kelly Smith looks for a stalemate call in Carter Young's 2018 State Championship match. (Photo: Scott Emigh).

CPHS Head Coach Kelly Smith cheers on Riley Weir after winning his 2018 State Championship match. (Photo: Scott Emigh).

CPHS Head Coach Kelly Smith led the Sandites to their first ever Dual State Championship in 2017, and first school State Title in any sport since 1994. (Photo: Scott Emigh).

SSPS Superintendent Sherry Durkee presents CPHS Head Wrestling Coach Kelly Smith with the coach's plaque after winning the 2017 Dual State Championship. (Photo: Scott Emigh).

Riley Weir hugs CPHS Head Wrestling Coach Kelly Smith after winning the 2017 State Championship. (Photo: Scott Emigh).

Beau Bratcher hugs his uncle, CPHS Head Wrestling Coach Kelly Smith, after winning the 2017 State Championship. (Photo: Scott Emigh).

Payton Scott hugs CPHS Head Wrestling Coach Kelly Smith after winning the 2017 State Championship. (Photo: Scott Emigh).

The Charles Page High School wrestling coaching staff poses with their 2017 State Tournament Championship trophy. (Scott Emigh).

Charles Page High School lost its third Head Coach this school year when wrestling coach Kelly Smith announced his intentions to resign Friday.

Head Volleyball Coach Janna Green left Sand Springs Public Schools for a private sector coaching position after the fall season. Girls' Basketball Head Coach Dustin Morrow stepped down from coaching to spend more time with his family earlier this month, but will remain on staff as a science teacher. Now, Smith is leaving coaching and teaching to work in insurance.

Smith cited unreasonably low State teaching wages as a primary reason for his decision, along with a desire to spend more time with his family. The successful coach has spent years running a lawncare business to compliment his income, but after seventeen years as Head Coach, he has decided it's time to move on. "This is a young man's game," said Smith. "I don't have the time to be out mowing lawns all year while also putting in the hours to maintain a successful program. I have to put my family first."

Smith's family might keep him in the coaching business a little longer, at least on a part-time basis. His son, Mitchell, is a talented up and comer in the junior high circuit. But while he will still be around cheering on the Sandites from the stands, the district will have to find fresh blood to take the reigns. 

Smith led the Sandites to their first-ever Dual State Championship in 2017 and followed it up with their first State Tournament title since 1971. The pair of championships were the first for Sand Springs in any sport since 1994. Nine Sandites won individual titles under his leadership, including five in the 2017 season. Even after losing four of those five, the Sandites placed third in the 6A State Tournament this past season with a 13-4 dual record.

"I got to live the dream," said Smith. "I got to take over for my coach and mentor. It's been a dream."