Boyd hires Oberle as a volleyball coach

NEW JOB – Former Decatur coach Clark Oberle was announced as Boyd’s new volleyball coach during Monday’s district school board meeting. ARCHIVE

A state champion coach will return next season to oversee a new program in Wise County.

Former Decatur coach Clark Oberle was named the new head of the Boyd Lady Jackets’ volleyball program at Monday’s district school board meeting.

“I’m really looking forward to starting at Boyd High School,” Oberle said. “Coach [Dusty] Crafton has done a fantastic job making Boyd one of the top 3A volleyball programs in the state. I hope I can continue what she started and help them win a state title in the near future.”

Oberle coached three seasons (2017-2019) at Decatur. He led the Lady Eagles to the state title over Needville in 2018 – his second state title and 599th career coaching win.

He surpassed the 600-win milestone in the next competition, the 2019 season opener against Lake Dallas.

Following his transfer from Decatur in April 2020, Oberle was hired at Frisco Liberty. The Redhawks finished last season 16-18 and finished seventh in the 9-5A district at 9-9.

Before Decatur, Oberle started the volleyball program in Argyle in 1999 and won a state championship with the team against Bushland in 2015.

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“We’re thrilled to have someone of Coach Oberle’s caliber to lead our volleyball program,” said Boyd’s athletic director Ian Ritchey. “Having worked with him before, I know what he brings to the table as a person, as a coach and as a teacher, and his resume speaks for itself.”

The position at Boyd opened after Crafton resigned in April.

With more than 300 games and two trips to the state tournament with Boyd, Crafton decided to retire from coaching to spend more time with family after adopting a son, Luka.

In Crafton’s final season, Boyd went 38-5 and went undefeated in the District 10-3A game (12-0) to win the program’s seventh consecutive championship title.

The Lady Jackets reached the regional finals for the fourth time in five years, but were ultimately swept by state semifinalist Gunter.

“We can’t thank Coach Crafton enough for all the work she’s done with our volleyball program and girls’ track and field as a whole,” Ritchey said. “You and your staff have brought this program to the level it is at today. It’s a big reason why someone as successful as Coach Oberle is interested in continuing the tradition she helped create.”