Impact of one man

Many Outlaw fans probably didn’t know the group gathered on the 50-yard line Friday prior to the game against the Sulphur Bulldogs. It was obvious by the red clothing they wore that it had something to do with the opposing team. Marlow Superintendent Corey Holland held a football in his hand, and large red circles on the field with the initials “JD” in white were also evident.

Announcer Joe Ligon directed everyone’s attention to the group and an honorable and thoughtful presentation took place. James “Jim” D. Dixon III, coach of the Bulldogs, died Sept. 11 of this year at the age of 71. He left a legacy in the history of Oklahoma high school football.

“Jim Dixon was one of the true legends of Oklahoma high school football,” Ligon said.

Impressive Numbers

Dixon’s career started in 1973, as an assistant football coach for Sulphur. Two years later, at the young age of 24, he was named head coach for the Bulldogs. That lasted 48 years. The Bulldogs, under Dixon’s lead, scored over 350 wins and third all-time in the state’s football history for total number of wins. Dixon’s teams scored two state championships in 2002 and 2004.

Other high points for Dixon and the Bulldogs include his induction into the Oklahoma Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2001, and into the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2017.

And earlier this year, he was inducted into the Oklahoma Football Coaches Association Powerlifting Hall of Fame. He inspired many of his players throughout the years. Several have become coaches, including a few on staff at Sulphur Public Schools even today.

Outlaw Connection

“Coach Dixon was always first, and foremost, a Sulphur Bulldog,” Ligon said. “However, he never ceased to be proud of his hometown of Marlow.” Dixon was a 1969 graduate of Marlow. During his high school career as an Outlaw football player, he was named to the All-Conference and All-District teams. After he graduated, he earned a football scholarship for Knox College in Galesburg, IL. Eventually, he returned home to be closer to family and marry the love of his life, Mary Alice Underwood.

Turf Touchdown

Dixon’s death came after a brief illness, but the void left impacts not just on his community of Sulphur, but also Marlow and across the state of Oklahoma. After all, serving as a coach for 48 years creates a large family and legacy. Holland presented a legacy football to Dixon’s wife, Mary Alice, son Reggie and his wife, Kim, daughter Amy and her husband Dawson, and their children. Then it was time for the traditional Outlaws vs. Bulldogs game and no matter who had the biggest scoreboard total, it probably goes without saying that they were all winners for having had the spirit of Coach Dixon in their game atmosphere.

*Editor’s note: Thanks to Joe Ligon for sharing his speech with The Marlow Review to make this story possible.