Dwight Winburn Recalls it all Pretty heady stuff for a guy whose graduation class consisted of 18.
Dwight Winburn By Phil Turney
Although he admits to not remembering everything these days, Dwight Winburn recalls it like it was yesterday. The fall of 1962, just a freshman in the tiny community of Marshall, Oklahoma he decided that one day he would be a head coach in Oklahoma. Thus begins the roller coaster ride and a life full of accomplishments for those who know this Hall of Famer.
A gifted athlete at Marshall High School, Dwight Winburn was a standout four sport athlete excelling in football, basketball, baseball and track. But he was already thinking like a coach knowing that his size would probably not get him an athletic scholarship at the next level.
Not to get too far ahead of ourselves, but I think it’s important to know what type of man we’re dealing with. A lifetime of basketball accomplishments pales in comparison to his leadership, faith and trust in God. Dwight Winburn also found time to become a licensed Baptist minister. A noted speaker, Winburn has also officiated two weddings. His son Chuck’s and the wedding of one of his greatest players, Kinzie Glover Didier. Besides becoming a hall of fame girl’s basketball coach, Winburn graduated from Central Oklahoma State in 1970 with a major in business, a minor in physical education and he became an electrical engineer working on our nation’s missile system while in the army. 22
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Dwight Winburns’ story is most intriguing because he announced his retirement at the age of 65 this past spring, resigning as Athletic Director and girls head coach at Ponca City High School. But as they say, when one door closes, another opens. More on that later. After graduating High School in 1966 from Marshall, located between Stillwater and Hennessey, Winburn left for UCO in Edmond. He graduated from UCO in 1970, diploma in hand and the love of his life at his side. Dwight and Mary Winburn were married in 1969. Six days after they celebrated their first wedding anniversary, he was on his way to Fort Polk, Louisiana to begin a 3 year stint in the army. This became another key part of this story. Mary Winburn. All coaches will tell you just how important the role wives or husbands play in their success. This is no different. “It’s been hard for her. The challenges they face. People ridicule you no matter what. She’s had to sit in stands and put up with people’s comments. It’s been very difficult for her. She’s a class act, I mean she’s taken it and she knew this was a partnership thing so she shares all that. It’s not just me, it’s her,” Winburn said. Dwight and Mary had a son, Chuck in 1973. “I felt a there were times I didn’t give him the attention because of other kids. I didn’t raise just one son. But it affected my son and his life. My wife and son were unselfish and wanted me to be happy!” The coaching road first led Winburn to Hennessey where he coached from 1973-1983. His 1981 team was the only team to defeat Kingfisher (32-1) and State Champions. He then moved to Laverne. In 1987, his Laverne girls team went to the State Tournament, only their second trip ever. Then it was on to Clinton. In 1990 Winburn fell in love with the small community
of Newkirk, Oklahoma, just north of Ponca City, thus beginning a run of seven State tournament appearances and a State runner-up in 2005. He was named Oklahoma Coach of the year that year.
In 2008 he accepted the head girls coaching job at Ponca City High School. His first season, the Lady Cats under Dwight Winburn went 17-10 and returned to the State Tournament. He then spent the last two seasons as Athletic Director and head girls coach in Ponca City.
When you add it up, 39 years of coaching, nine state tournament teams, Oklahoma girls basketball All-State coach in 1987 & 2010 and Oklahoma Coaches Association All-State coach 2010. 11 All-State Players
Rhonda Greenhoward-Hennessey Andrea Pile-Laverne
Amy Mccombs, Donna Luis, Christy Scheiber, Kaycie Whitworth, Suzie Eisenhauer, Karlie Howerton and Kinzie Glover-Newkirk
Mica Havens & Lauren Vetters-Ponca City 519 Wins
295 losses
Winning percentage 64%
So it’s time to close the book on Dwight Winburn and wish him well in his retirement. Not so fast. The final chapter in this book has not been written. Five days after leaving Ponca City, he accepted the Newkirk girls basketball job that just opened. He will remain retired from teaching, but since the Newkirk gym is only a block from his home, he’ll be back on the court this fall doing what he loves and knows that he wanted way back in 1962. And don’t be surprised if this minister, engineer, educator and coach adds a few wins to his current total before he’s done.