(SPS) — Sapulpa Public Schools has announced Tim Holt, Jr. as the new head coach of the Sapulpa Chieftains football team.

The Sapulpa School Board of Education unanimously approved the hire during its meeting on Feb. 22.

“I couldn’t be happier than I am right now to be a part of this great community,” said Holt, Jr. “We have a tremendous amount of talented young men and I am honored to be able to lead them to achieve their absolute best on the field, as well as help guide them towards life beyond football.”

Holt comes to Sapulpa from Broken Arrow High School where he has been on the Tigers’ coaching staff the last two years. He’s served as the Special Teams Coordinator, Passing Game Coordinator, and Wide Receivers Coach during Broken Arrow’s run to the 6A-I state semifinals in 2019 and state quarterfinals in 2020.

As head coach of the Coweta football program, he led the Tigers to the playoffs for three straight years while earning the 2017 5A-III District Coach of the Year award.

“I am excited to welcome Tim back to Sapulpa,” said Michael Rose, Sapulpa Public Schools Athletic Director. “With more than15 years of coaching experience, including as a head coach, Tim is the right person to lead the fine young men of Sapulpa Chieftains Football and build the program for future success.”

It’s a homecoming of sorts for Holt. He attended Sapulpa High School through his junior year before transferring to Kellyville High School to be with his father who had accepted a new coaching position.

Following high school, Holt attended Southeastern Oklahoma State University where he was a four-year letterman, two-year starter, and senior captain of the football team. He graduated in 2005 with his Bachelor’s Degree in Health/Physical Education/Safety K-12.

Holt comes to Sapulpa High School with his wife, Stephanie, and his 7-year-old twins, daughter, Rylan, and son, Canton.

Coach Holt is expected to start in time for spring practice in May.