Prep parade: How a duo of the past is looking to restore glory at Chandler

CHANDLER — Jack Gray spent the first week at his new job on edge, half fearful he would be forced to relive his playing days.

Should he make a mistake, would he be forced to run or do pushups by his mentor like it was 2008?

“It was weird,” Gray said.

But Gray was Chandler High School's star quarterback and linebacker then, learning and watching coach Neal Bacon lead the way to a state championship game.

A decade later, the roles are different.

Now 28, Gray is Chandler's rookie head coach. Bacon has returned as assistant and mentor aiming to bring back the glory days to a downtrodden program.

“I know we can get back to where we used to be,” Gray said. “I think they've been wanting that structure. It's a fight, though.”

Chandler is 1-1 going into Mount St. Mary on Friday. A duo from the past that helped lead the community northeast of Oklahoma City out of a dark time has helped restore some confidence.

“Both of us know what Chandler can be, what it was when we were there,” Bacon said. “They've had their times where they've been good before but they haven't been consistent.”

In 2003, football nearly halted in Chandler. Massive cutbacks led to a large number of teachers and football coaches being released. But local businessman Brent LaGere stepped up to lead a group of volunteer coaches to continue the program.

He hired Bacon the following year.

In 2005, Chandler won the state championship under LaGere. Bacon was an assistant and Gray was a freshman. By Gray's senior year, Bacon was the head coach and Gray was the quarterback in another title game.

Gray, who is the older brother of Colorado Rockies pitcher Jon Gray, went on to play at Northeastern State. But he never lost sight of what Bacon did.

“Even in college I would think his way is a little better,” Gray said.

Gray left his job at OG&E in May when he accepted his new position after less than two seasons volunteering on staff. He passed his teacher certification, too.

Bacon, 58, spent the past six seasons at Depew. He applied for the head coach position, but was instead offered a chance to mentor Gray. He happily accepted.

“Being around Jack and all of his enthusiasm and all of the things he wants to do, I'm just glad to be a part of it,” Bacon said.

Chandler's system under Gray mirrors what Bacon did a decade ago.

The offense is nearly identical — a power-run attack with a few modern twists. The terminology is the same. Discipline and expectations are the same.

“I've found out that we had more impact on Jack and other kids that played for us than we ever thought they did,” Bacon said. “They want to recreate that.”

But there have still been some odd moments.

Following Bacon's first practice, he went to address the team first like he had hundreds of times before.

He stopped himself.

Gray spoke instead. The Lions are now his team.

“I'm trying to get it back to where it was,” Gray said. “I know it can be successful. What we do has proven it can work. It's just getting everyone to buy in and really trust it. It takes a little time, too.”