Johnny Bohannon resigned his position as Eufaula Public Schools Athletic Director this past Eufaula School Board meeting. Bohannon has a reputation as being one of the most beloved and respected athletic directors in eastern Oklahoma.

Bohannon has been coaching and in education since 1980. He was on the Tulsa Union football staff under head coach Bill Blankenship when the Redskins won three state championships. He led Okemah to the state finals in 1989; he was president of the Oklahoma Coaches Association in 2001 and was inducted into the Oklahoma Coaches Hall of Fame in 2017.

“It has been a great pleasure to know Johnny Bohannon for over 20 years. Eufaula Schools has been extremely fortunate to have a man of his high caliber, who has served our district at 150% in every position that he has held. He is well known and respected across the state, not just because he is a Hall of Fame coach, but because of his reputation to be a fair, honest and an ethical individual. He did not work “for” me, but “with” me. I always knew that I could trust him completely, to make all decisions concerning evaluating and recommending coaches and student athletes, as well as the well being of Eufaula students and staff were at the center of his being. Congratulations to Mr. Bo on a long and successful career,” former Eufaula Superintendent Jeanette Smith said.

“Coach Bo wasn’t one to sugarcoat anything. He was tough and direct, and expected us to do things the right way. He’s a good man who cared for his players beyond football, so I always knew the butt chewing came from a place of love. I learned a lot playing for Coach Bo, he didn’t just make us better football players, but better men,” former Eufaula quarterback and now Eufaula assistant football coach Ethan Sharp said.

“Coach Bohannon always answered his phone when I called or he called me when there was a schedule change or anything that was coming up for the Ironheads. He was that one contact that you could always count on,” Eufaula Indian Journal Sports Editor Rodney Haltom said.

“I love Eufaula. That’s why we moved here and built our home here. My son moved here with his family and serves the community in the medical field. We love Eufaula. It’s important to me that things are done right. I enjoyed my job at Eufaula, especially working with the teachers and students as the Assistant Elementary Principal and the coaches here. Now it’s time for me and my wife to enjoy our children and grandkids,” Bohannon said.

The Eufaula administration named Jeremy Gragg as Bohannon’s successor.