TULSA – In 2015, when former Lawton High great Will Shields was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he was surrounded by his family and friends. Also by his side during that special moment was his high school coach Clarence Madden, a man Shields said helped shape his career.

So, it should not have been a surprise that when it was Madden’s turn to enter a hall of fame, Shields was front and center to watch the ceremony.

“It’s awesome Shields said. “That’s one thing about it, a guy that actually helped you with your career, started you of with the love of the game, taught you how to treat your family in high regard. He’s one of those guys that sort of did it by example.”

Madden was joined by former Eisenhower coaches Bruce Harrington and Tim Reynolds who were part of the 50^th annual Oklahoma Coaches Association Hall of Fame induction Saturday night at the Marriott Southern Hills in Tulsa.

The rest of the inductees included Danny Daniels (Hominy), Jim Ferguson (Alva), Ron Lancaster (Tulsa), Doug Tolin (OBU) and Larry Turner (Owasso).

Madden coached at Lawton High for 12 years. In that time he racked up an 83-50 record as head football coach. That included three trips to the state 6A semifinals. He was also an offensive line coach with the Wolverines when they won the 1987 5A state championship.

Madden, who is now the offensive coordinator at Cache High, was in awe of the moment.

“It’s just a humbling experience,” Madden said. “There are so many great coaches out there. Coaches that I’ve worked for, coaches that I’ve worked with, coaches that I’ve had growing up, which kind of made me want to be a coach. It’s an honor.”

Harrington recently left Eisenhower in order to take a coaching position in Forth Worth, TX. at Northside High School. The move ends a 32-year stint at EHS.

In his last official act as a member of the Lawton community, Harrington was honored to join the same hall of fame thathis father, Clester Harrington, joined in 1989.

“I think to all coaches it’s one of the greatest honors you can get in Oklahoma,” Harrington said. “Following in my father’s footsteps, it’s a big deal. I’ve been going to coaches clinics since I was born. It’s a great honor.”

Harrington, who won a state title with the Eagles in 2015, tallied a 435-264 record in 25 years as head coach with the Eagles.

“A lot of my best friends are my father’s friends,” Harrington said. “And a lot of them are in the hall of fame. I always sit around the room and listen to their stories. The Oklahoma Coaches Association has a great history and I’m proud to be a part of it.”

With 27 years and four head coaching stints under his belt, Reynolds was inducted into the hall of fame. His stops include Paul’s Valley, Chickasha and one year at Noble. He also spent time as an assistant coach at Oklahoma State.

But it was Reynolds’ four years at Eisenhower that will be attached to his name at the very top of his resume. In that span he racked up a 40-11 record, four playoffs appearances, two trips to the Class 5A state title game, one state title and the mythical 1990 USA Today National Championship.

Despite being one of only two Oklahoma coaches to ever win a national title, Reynolds said he was stunned he made it to the hall of fame.

“For 27 years it was my passion now when I get up in the morning I work for a living,” said Reynolds, who now owns a real estate company in Chickasha. “I never considered it a job. This is one of the highlights of my life. To be recognized by your peers.”

Story first appeared in The Lawton Constitution. Michael Kinney is a Freelance Writer at Eyeamtruth.com