From staff reports
sports@joplinglobe.com
MIAMI, Okla. — Don Bigby, offensive line coach at Northeastern A&M;, has been named interim head coach according to Bob Walker, NEO vice president of student affairs.
Bigby replaces former head coach Rob Green, who resigned Monday after four years at the Golden Norseman helm.
“I am honored to fill this position,” Bigby said. “There are high expectations for the Golden Norse program and I will strive to help the team meet them.
“My focus will be on improving our players’ academic achievements and physical conditioning,” Bigby said. “I’ll also try to ensure that they represent NEO well.”
Along with serving as offensive line coach, Bigby is the chair of the college physical education department.
He came to NEO as a member of Dale Patterson’s coaching staff and has produced nine all-Southwest Junior College Football Conference first team players and three National Junior College Athletic Association all-Americans.
A native of Owasso, Bigby played football and baseball while earning a bachelor of arts degree from Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa in 1983.
After serving one year as offensive line coach at Wilburton High School and then Cleveland High School, Bigby spent three years as offensive line coach at Stroud High School.
Bigby served one year as offensive line coach at Chandler High School before becoming head football coach from 1989 to 1992 at Porter High School. He served four years as assistant head coach and offensive line coach at Pawhuska High School before returning to his alma mater Owasso Rams from 1996 to 2000.
“Donnie is our interim head coach and he will strategize our recruiting program for next season,” Walker said. “We are fortunate to have someone with coach Bigby’s experience to fill our head coaching position until a new head coach can be named.
“We didn’t want to be spinning our wheels,” Walker said. “That’s why we moved very quickly after Rob’s resignation to find someone to lead the program.”
With recruiting season already under way, the Golden Norse coaching staff has been actively pursuing possible players for next season.
“Perspective student-athletes need to know who’s going to be their head coach,” Walker said. “But on the other hand, we’re going to take the time to select the right person for this job.
“Because of the time frame, I would think that it will be just a matter of days before interim president Tom Poole and I discuss the qualifications we’re going to officially post for the position,” Walker said. “Then we’ll begin the advertising and the interviewing process.”
During his four years at NEO, Green also served as coordinator of athletics and college discipline coordinator. Walker has assumed those administrative duties.
“We haven’t determined what duties will be assigned to our next head coach,” Walker said. “At this level we want to have some flexibility in terms of being able to match up strengths with the candidates that are available.”
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Don Bigby takes reins of NEO football program
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