Legendary Jenks football coach Allan Trimble will soon be inducted into the National High School Hall of Fame. A father and son who both played for Coach Trimble says the connections he formed with his players is what he did best.

Trimble coached the Trojans to more than 250 wins and 13 state titles before he retired at the end of the 2017 season. He had ALS and died in 2019.

Paul Phipps mostly played defense for Jenks in the early-90s. Trimble was an assistant coach for the Trojans and popular amongst the players.

“At the time it was Lancaster who was our head coach, and he was tough,” said Phipps. “So, we’d go to Trimble for a pick-me-up, he was a good guy to have around for moral support, I would say.”

By the time Paul’s son, Braden, was in high school, Trimble was the head coach. His teams were also dominating Oklahoma high school football.

“He ripped on us a little bit more,” said Braden. “He was still a player’s coach.”

Braden played receiver and cornerback for Trimble’s Trojans. His philosophy of Faith, Family and Football was still the same.

“The playbook might’ve changed and other things but the one thing that never changed was the identity of the team and the role that he played,” said Braden. “I think that was the same throughout every year and was so cool to be a part of.”

The Phipps say they kept in touch with Trimble and his family after the playing days ended. Those relationships were bigger for them than whatever was on the scoreboard.

“Winning was obviously important to him, but what the players realized is that he cared much more about you as a person and as an individual,” said Paul.

Trimble and the 11 other inductees will be honored at a ceremony on July 1st in Seattle.