How former OU football star Javon Harris is trying to lead Lawton Eisenhower back to glory
LAWTON — Javon Harris just couldn't stop smiling.
As he crossed Lawton Eisenhower's practice field earlier this week, the jovial mood became contagious.
He led and participated in drills. He coached special teams. He critiqued and molded his players.
All with an ear-to-ear grin and purpose.
“The main thing I try to preach to our guys is about how seriously your work ethic, discipline, and integrity matter to your growth, not only as a football player but as a young man,” said Harris.
“The main thing for me while turning this program back to what it once was, was implementing a winning culture.”
More than three decades removed from its last state championship, Lawton Eisenhower has turned to a previous rival to turn things around. Harris, a former Lawton MacArthur star and OU safety, is in his second year guiding the Eagles while trying to establish a new culture.
They have gone 12 consecutive seasons without a winning record. But off to a 3-1 start entering Friday's game at Carl Albert, a buzz reminiscent of the old days surrounds the program.
More: Coaches Confidential: What’s the best stadium in Oklahoma high school football?
In the late 1980s and early ’90s, Lawton Eisenhower was a powerhouse. It won the 1990 Class 5A state title, national title and finished the year ranked as the No. 1 high school team in the country by USA Today. It made state title game appearances in 1988 and 1992.
Since then, things have drastically changed.
“I try to lead by example in every way possible,” said Harris. “Doing the little things like walking through the school so they’ll see me outside of practice. They never saw their head coach building relationships with their teachers. I just try to show them that everyone is pushing for you to succeed and since we believe in them, they have full capability to believe in themselves as well.”
“For a long time, Lawton was a city that was well known for the wrong reasons. We try to continue to push our guys to show the opposite and be role models and leaders in the community.”
Transforming the losing culture that haunted the program for the past decade is what Harris envisioned most when hired. Harris has a maxim of "faith, fight, finish" that he preaches daily.
“He fully believes in us,” Eagles junior running back Rashaud Hurt said. "And because of that, we fully believe in him. Everyone already counted us out before the year and we’ve already overachieved everything they expected from us in just four games. It’s all thanks to him for pushing to get the best out of us.”
As Harris works to restore confidence in his players, he's found his own. He's rediscovered the joy from his high school days across town at Lawton MacArthur before he played at OU.
After five years in Norman, Harris signed as an undrafted free agent with the Arizona Cardinals and had a short training camp stint. He coached at nearly every collegiate level. Most recently, he worked as the defensive coordinator at Carter-Riverside High in Fort Worth.
More: Oklahoma high school football 2023 season preview: The top players, teams and more
Harris now faces a new challenge. He believes that rewriting the wrongs of the last decade starts within the mindset of his players. Although he’s largely keen on developing the team to win football games, Harris is driven to make his players greater pillars in the classroom and for their community at large.
Since Harris has been at the forefront of the program, the Eagles have prided themselves on building a connection within their community.
Whether it's garbage pickup, car washes or just helping the community and school, Harris believes it's important to show up for those who show up for them.
“His immediate impact on his hometown of Lawton and our football team here has been grand,” said Kyle Williams, athletic director for Lawton Eisenhower and a longtime assistant football coach around Southwest Oklahoma.
“His preparation and attention to detail no matter what the objective was for that given day is what I think really bleeds into the kids.”
Javon’s commitment to uplifting the community of Lawton has ultimately been shaped by his upbringing. His late father, Junior, served as a director of the Lawton Family YMCA and executive director of the Simmons Center in Duncan.
Junior Harris' influence helped Javon grasp his calling. Junior was a pillar in the community. Now, Javon knows he’s meant to be a leader of youth.
“I'm a firm believer in serving the people that serve you,” said Harris. “Community has always been largely important to me and I will always love Lawton.”
Jordan Davis covers high school sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Jordan? He can be reached at jdavis@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @jdavis34_. Sign up for The Varsity Club newsletter to access more high school coverage. Support Jordan’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
More: Oklahoma high school football: Three under-the-radar storylines heading into Week 4
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma HS football: Javon Harris rebuilding Lawton Eisenhower
