Although Matt Hawkins has been in Sequoyah County being the Gore Pirates head wrestling coach and assistant football coach, he had a chance to get back to some of his roots in Sallisaw, so he took the opportunity to do so.

Hawkins was hired as a Sallisaw assistant football coach and the head junior high baseball coach at the Sallisaw Public Schools Board of Education June meeting on June 10.

“Sallisaw is home,” Hawkins said. “It’s where I grew up. It’s where my family has been for many years. My kids are still in the school system there. I had an opportunity to go back and be back home.”

Some might think because Hawkins wasn’t involved in coaching baseball at Gore that the sport is foreign to him. Think again.

“I’ve done junior high baseball in the past,” he said. “I played baseball growing up, and I played in college. It’s a sport I really enjoy. I’m excited to get the opportunity to do it (coach JH baseball).”

While there still was a chance to apply for the Sallisaw assistant football coaching job and accepting it, Hawkins said having the head JH baseball coaching job sweetened the offer.

“I would have considered it (just taking the football assistant coaching job) — absolutely,” Hawkins said. “Sallisaw is home. It’s a place I know, and I know what I’m getting myself into. I’m glad to be back where my kids are and in the same school as them, and the (JH) baseball coaching job will be fulfilling.”

Hawkins is ready to get his Sallisaw coaching duties underway, which is starting with summer pride for the Black Diamonds football team.

“I’m excited,” he said. “I’m hitting the ground running. I’m coming over a bit late, so I’ve got a lot of catching up to do real quick. I’m looking forward to it. I’m bringing my oldest son (Caden Cowan) with me — he’ll be a senior this year. He’s picking up with me (in football) as well. In fact, I’m seeing some familiar faces, and we’re getting a chance to be Black Diamonds again. We’re excited.”