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WEATHERFORD’S RANDLE ADDED TO SWOSU FOOTBALL STAFF
WEATHERFORD, Okla. – Southwestern Oklahoma State University has hired Anthony Randle as its new graduate assistant for its football coaching staff, announced Bulldogs head coach Dan Cocannouer on Monday.

Randle, who is a 1993 graduate from Weatherford High School, replaces Stephen Papp who took a similar position at Angelo State University. Randle will be in charge primarily with the linebacker position.

“Anthony comes to us with tremendous experience and a great working knowledge of the game,” Cocannouer said. “We feel like he will be able to instruct, mentor and increase the production for us at the linebacker position. He’s a great addition to our staff.”

Randle was a member of back-to-back state championship teams at Weatherford under coach Woody Roof. He was an all-state defensive tackle and initially signed with Oklahoma State University before attending Northeastern A&M Junior College.

At NEO, he helped the Norseman to second-place finish in the 1993 NJCAA National playoffs and was named to the pre-season All-American team the following year at linebacker. Randle’s success at NEO was enough to land a full scholarship at NCAA Division II powerhouse Pittsburg State.

At Pittsburg, Randle was a two-time all-Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Conference selection at defensive end. He helped the Gorillas to a 12-1-1 record and a berth in the 1995 NCAA Division II national championship where they were beaten by North Alabama. He was an honorable mention All-American and was the recipient of the Joe Murphy Award given to the team’s top defensive player as a senior.

He remained at Pitt State where he served as a student assistant and coached defensive line, linebackers and secondary for the next three seasons.

Randle’s continued his collegiate coaching at Southern Illinois where he was the defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator beginning in 2001. In his final year, he helped the Salukis to the 2003 Gateway Conference Championship and their first appearance in the NCAA I-AA playoffs in 20 years.

His coaching career continued in 2007 at Independence Community College in Kansas where he served as recruiting coordinator and defensive back coach. One of his players at Independence, Fred Leak, was a first-team, all-conference linebacker for SWOSU in 2009.

“It’s truly a blessing to be back home,” Randle said. “I’m looking forward to helping the rebuilding process and be a part of something positive in Bulldog athletics.”

Randle and his wife, Barbara, have five children; Kyrie (22), Shelley (20), A.J. (14), Nathan (13), Brevin (10). Anthony’s father, Ervan, played football for SWOSU in the early 1970’s.