The Muldrow Bulldogs baseball team had a rough season for firstyear coach John Rozell as the ’Dogs suffered through a 6-24 season.
The end result was Rozell resigning his position, effective June 30 when the official 202425 school year ends.
“We (Rozell and Muldrow Public Schools Superintendent Roger Sharp) had different directions we wanted the program to go, so it was mentioned that it was best that I step away,” said Rozell, who came to Muldrow after coaching the Hulbert Riders. “I still have great relationships with a couple of board members, who have actually called on me and checked on me to make sure I’m all right. They’re great people. It just wasn’t meant to be. It’s mainly the different direction they (Muldrow Public Schools) wanted to head. That’s fine with me. I appreciated my time and my players. I’m grateful for my time at Muldrow.”
Rozell did not get a chance to personally address the players after his decision, but he wanted to make them aware that they had nothing to do with his decision to step down.
“I haven’t gotten to talk with them,” he said. “The school thought it was best that I don’t speak to them (about the resignation). I love my players. That’s probably the hardest part of this, getting to tell them why I resigned. Nobody is mad or upset. It just didn’t work out. That’s life — sometimes things don’t work out. I wish my players and their families, and the school, all the best.”
Rozell is positive that he will be coaching somewhere when the 2025-26 school year begins.
“I would like something closer to my house (in Hulbert) anyway so I’m not traveling so much every day,” Rozell said. “I’ll be coaching somewhere. I think that’s God’s calling on my life. I’ll find somewhere. I don’t mean to sound prideful, but I was looking for another job when I found this one (with the Muldrow Bulldogs).”
Muldrow Public Schools Athletic Director Jana Armer said there was a good chance Rozell’s successor was to be named at Monday night’s MPS Board of Education meeting.
“We think we have already got our guy,” Armer said. “That should happen (Tuesday) night at the board meeting. We should know by (Tuesday) night who is going to follow him. We’re definitely looking for positive outcomes (for the baseball pro-John gram).”
