Welcome Back

The 2023 season is going to feel like a new beginning for the Kingfisher High School softball program in more ways than one.

It will also be welcoming back a familiar face.

Kingfisher’s board of education on Monday approved the hiring of Morgan Dutton as a high school science teacher and the head softball coach.

She’ll succeed Danny Green, who coached KHS softball for seven years.

If the name seems familiar, it’s because Dutton - formerly Morgan Marks - spent one year at Kingfisher Public Schools in 2021-22.

Along with being a KHS science teacher, Dutton coached junior high softball, basketball and track and also assisted the high school softball and basketball teams.

Dutton and her husband Bryan, who was the Kingfisher wrestling coach that same year, ventured to Rogers, Ark. She has spent the last year coaching cross country and track and teaching chemistry and physical science at Rogers High School.

But now she’s returning…and will lead the program into its next phase.

“I’m super excited to be back in Kingfisher,” Dutton said. “The community is very supportive of their school and athletes. That was a major draw when coming back.”

Duttton is a 2014 Seiling High School graduate who earned a bachelor’s degree in natural science (with chemistry) from Northwestern Oklahoma State University.

Her teaching ability, said Kingfisher Superintendent David Glover, was as big a draw as her ability to coach.

“Her excitement about teaching excited me the most,” Glover said of the interview process.

Glover noted Monday’s hire of Jan Swart - formerly Jan Schilde, a Dover High School graduate - as another high school science teacher.

“They’re going to come in and really strengthen our science department, which is something we really were looking to do.”

The board also approved the hire of Alexis Rowan as the junior high softball head coach. She’ll be Dutton’s assistant on the high school team.

Rowan currently works in the Norman Public Schools system. She also interviewed for the head coaching job here.

“She knocked our socks off with her energy,” Glover said. “I really think she and Morgan together will be great for our program.” While the educational side of Glover appreciated Dutton’s teaching skills, the old coach in him also raised an eyebrow when she started talking softball. “I obviously wasn’t here during her year here, but I’d heard a lot of good things about her from other people,” Glover said. “And then when I was a part of the interview with her, I knew it was a double-win. “She’s excited about the program and she knows the potential that’s there and is excited to take the reins and see where she can guide it.” In coaching junior high during her first stint, Dutton worked with the group of KHS players who will be freshmen and sophomores next season. “Having been able to work with these athletes before is a huge plus,” she said. “Their drive and willingness to be better will be very beneficial to our program.” Dutton has also worked with most of those KHS players who will be upperclassmen next year. Together, Dutton wants the program to achieve new heights.

“These girls have a desire to be great and that will help take the program to the next level,” she said. “I believe that we can be very competitive in our district this year and start to build towards a standard of excellence.”

That “building” will take place on a brand new field.

One of the major projects taking place for KPS over the next few months will be having synthetic turf installed at the high school softball field.

That is projected to be finished before the start of next season.

“Having turf will be awesome for our athletes,” Dutton said. “I am excited for them to get to experience a brand-new field like this. I can’t wait to get to work with these girls and I’m looking forward to the season.”