OKLAHOMA CITY – When Travis Burdine heard that Western Heights was looking for a football coach, the former Classen S.A.S. head coach admits he had some misconceptions about the school and the job.

He knew of schools rushing to schedule their homecoming games against the Jets for an easy win. Not having visited the southwest Oklahoma City school himself, he envisioned poor facilities and a rural atmosphere.

What he found were great facilities. The Jets hosted the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association (OSSAA) State Track and Field Championships last season. He also saw a willingness from administration to build a solid football program. Burdine found players that were “striving for knowledge,” something that would surprise most outsiders.

Despite the promising signs, Burdine, who was announced the Jets’ new coach in April, faces an uphill battle.

THE CHALLENGE

The Jets finished 2-5 in J.D. Runnels’ lone season at the helm in 2023. To try and build up the program, Western Heights successfully petitioned the OSSAA to play an independent schedule rather than try to compete in Class 5A. The Jets’ two wins came over Class A schools, Hinton and Watonga.

The school didn’t even play football in 2020 as the previous administration fought with the Oklahoma State Department of Education and the OSSAA in the tumultuous COVID-19 school year.

Success for the Jets has been few and far between over the years.

The last time Western Heights finished over .500 was in 2007, when that Jets squad went 8-3, falling to 5A power Carl Albert in the first round of the playoffs.

In 63 years of playing football, Western Heights has a paltry 197-417-7 record overall for a .320 winning percentage.

Despite all that, Burdine knew his future wasn’t at Classen S.A.S. Before the Jets’ job came open, he was ready to leave coaching. He had been at S.A.S for five years, including one year as head coach.

“I like going into places where there’s a challenge,” Burdine said. “I don’t love going to places that’s already being established. I want to see what I can put together.

“That’s always been my thing. Anybody can walk into a winning program and and all you do is just ‘Don’t wreck the Corvette’ because you got the keys. But when you have to build that Corvette, it’s a little bit different.”

After meeting with Western Heights Athletic Director Terry Long, Jr., he knew this was the challenge he wanted to take.

“Western Heights was the opportunity that knocked on my door and I figured, you know, why not?” Burdine said. “Let’s take this challenge and see what we could do here.”

FROM PRAGUE, OKLAHOMA TO WINFIELD, KANSAS

Burdine hopes to open his players’ eyes to the opportunities they might have in college, just like Burdine did when he graduated from Prague in 2000.

At Prague, Burdine played a lot of positions, from quarterback and wide receiver to running back and defensive end.

He played at Southwestern College an NAIA school in Winfield, Kansas. From there, he went to West Texas A&M, a NCAA Division II school. Soon after, his coaching career began in Oxford, Kansas (a Class 2A school).

But, he wasn’t done playing yet. He played in the Arena Football League in Texas and in Oklahoma.

After his playing days ended, Burdine coached in his hometown of Prague, then he went to Douglass, followed by his stint at Classen S.A.S.

COLLEGE-FOCUSED COACHING

Burdine’s impression is that his players will need “more guidance, counseling and individual development” than players at other schools.

“I want my athletes to win in life, not just winning the game,” Burdine said. “So let’s take (these kids) back to the beginning and see what you know and what you don’t know.”

Along with the emphasis on like skills, Burdine and his coaching staff have worked on basic football knowledge and terminology – breaking down the game in its simplest form.

“Speaking a language you don’t understand, it’s tough for (players) to catch up,” Burdine said. “So most of them quit because they don’t want to get embarrassed or they quit because it’s too hard for them.

“And I said, as well, ‘let’s just take it back to ground level and start to build here’ because. there’s a lot of good kids here at Western Heights, and that’s what a lot of people looked over.”

He makes the distinction of wanting to get his players college-ready for football opportunities.

Burdine also knows building a program extends to the middle school level. He and his entire coaching staff are involved in the middle school program as well.

Burdine was pleased with the turnout during summer workouts although he understood some players were not as consistent because of family commitments and jobs like roofing or other labor-intensive jobs.

He feels like the majority of his players were ready physically to play once August workouts started.

“By the time football season comes, we’re doing more of the install instead of, ‘Hey, now I got to get you strong’ ” Burdine said. “Because if you’re a roofer, buddy, you’re carrying shingles up a high ladder that don’t compete and carry football.”

RETURN TO 5A

The Jets will return to playing in Class 5A, playing in District 2. Burdine understands it will be a challenge with three teams that made the playoffs in 2023 (Carl Albert, Guthrie and El Reno). The Titans won another title for the trophy case.

The Jets’ first district opponent is Carl Albert.

“(That game) helps us measure where we’re at,” Burdine said.

Burdine also notes that besides the three playoff teams, the other teams struggled last season.

Xs and Os

Burdine expects his squad to be a “run-structured team,” emphasizing ball-control.

“If we can keep the ball in our hand, we’re not getting blown out.”

Burdine believes he has a decent offensive line to work with and will have some depth at those positions.

CHANGING THE NARRATIVE

Burdine knows his team and the school’ reputation won’t change overnight.

When the new Jets coach in meetings with other coaches, he recalled some interactions with other coaches.

“I just sit back and laugh because everybody was like, coach man, ‘let me get Western Heights on my schedule.’ “

“I was like, well, ‘I understand what you’re looking at, but it ain’t the same.’ Western Heights won’t be the same as what people used to remember.”