By Ember McElrath
Coaching since 1995 when he was a graduate assistant, John Gallagher has been named as the Ada coach of the month. He started coaching full time in 1998 for Ada.
“I went into coaching because I had great mentor coaches as a student-athlete and wanted to give back to other athletes as my coaches did for me,” said John.
Knowing where he belonged early on, John has only coached for Ada. He has consistently been involved with coaching football and wrestling since he started.
“I enjoy seeing the positive steps young people take toward their goal,” said John. “Even when it’s outside their comfort zone when it comes to improvement.”
Currently John is with Ada’s High School football coaching staff working with the tight ends and defensive ends and has been there for one year. He was previously with the junior high. He is also the high school’s assistant wrestling coach and has been with them for the last three years, previously with the junior high as well.
“This year I am looking forward to postseason competitions,” John said.
John not only has been coaching at Ada for most of his adult life, he grew up and graduated from Ada High School as well. John participated in football, wrestling, and ran track for Ada growing up. After high school, John stayed close to home and he went on to Eastern Central University where he continued his passion for sports by playing football. He took one year off from coaching in 2005, but went back the very next year and hasn’t looked back since. John works full time as a local insurance agent with Oklahoma Farm Bureau when he isn’t busy coaching for Ada. John is married to his wife Heather and they have two wonderful kids together who also participate in Ada athletics.
