MEET THE COACH:OC Jason Munoz brings NFL, college experience to Bruin staff

An iconic military recruiting slogan claimed "Join the Navy and see the world."

For full-time coaches -- high school and above -- a companion motto could apply: "Become a coach and see the moving van."

When it comes to long travels, Marco Polo and Columbus were rookie sightseers compared to the vagabond wanderings of many in the coaching profession.

But, there's also an occasional long stop or two, where long-term friendships can be fostered, and where a lifetime of memories can be sown, nourished and harvested.

That appears to be the case of Bartlesville High football offensive coordinator Jason Munoz, who is going into his sixth season with the Bruins -- and in the midst of his third different administration.

Munoz first arrived in 2018 as part of new head coach Lee Blankenship's staff as quarterbacks coach. After Blankenship bounced to another job in 2019, Munoz became an offensive coordinator for Jason Sport.

Sport's tenure lasted three years, after which time Harry Wright took charge (2022) of the football program and retained Munoz as his offensive coordinator.

Munoz' six seasons at Bartlesville is his second-longest stop in a lenghty coaching career.

He worked for seven seasons (2011-17) at Lincoln Christian School.

Prior to that, Munoz' stints included Tarleton (Texas) State, Northeastern State (Tahlequah), the Colorado School of Mines, between 2004-2010.

Munoz spend part of 2004 as a coaching intern with the Buffalo Bills and worked with quarterback Drew Bledsoe and other offensive stars.

In his younger coaching experiences, Munoz worked as a student assistant/graduate assistant for Les Miles at Oklahoma State then at California Lutheran (Thousand Oaks, Calif.).

He attended college at Benedictine (Kan.) -- where he was a player -- and finished up at Oklahoma State.

During his college and coaching days, Munoz has bounced around the nation like a California back to Oklahoma to New York and places in-between during his college and career. No doubt, Munoz knows the atlas well.

At many of his jobs, Munoz -- a Stillwater native who will turn 48 on Thursday -- fashioned explosive, even record-setting offenses.

In 2019, his Bruin averaged nearly 500 yards a game during the final six games.

Last season, the Bruins set two scoring records -- the most lopsided win in team history (55-0 against U.S. Grant) and the biggest cumulative point total in back-to-back games (103, 55-0 vs. U.S. Grant, 48-7 vs. Putnam City West).

Beyond the development of the Bruin football program, Munoz feels contented to be here.

"I really do," he said. "I like the people in Bartlesville. I've gotten along with the coaches. … I want to be a part of it."

He has fond memories from his stops -- including his oldest son being born in California.

But, during this era of his life, he's happy to plant some roots.

"It was time to kind of slow down a little," he said about leaving college for the high school ranks.

"I just wanted to spend a little more time with my family (including four sons)," munoz explained. "It's a little different pace in high school. … Once I got around Bartlesville, I really loved the people here and the administration."

He proffers major credit Wright for transforming the team from a 2-8 record in 2022 to a 5-7 mark and playoff win last season.

"No one outworks Harry," Munoz said, praising his year-round focus on the team and for bringing together a unified staff.

"I think the kids like that structure," Munoz said. "They're getting better. They're getting better. They've made huge strides this off-season."

One of Munoz' key returning performers is starting quarterback Nate Neal, coming off a promising sophomore season.

Even though he was up-and-down last season -- to be expected of a 15-year-old quarterback going against seniors -- Neal "has transformed his body this off-season," Munoz said. "He's got a lot of confidence. He's a really strong kid. I love coaching him. He's going to do some really good things."

Damien Niko, Chase Eaves and P.J. Wallace are some other key returnees, Munoz added.

Wallace -- who fell barely short last season of rushing for 2,000 yards -- "has put in the work," Munoz said. "He's a bigger kid. … His body is really good physically."

Munoz also has now seen two classes go all the way through the program and is on his third.

"I really enjoy the relationships both on and off the field," he added. I've been with these kids for four years. I've seen them grow up. I love that aspect. … I like every part of it (football). I like the dedication and the preparation and really competing on Fridays."

This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: MEET THE COACH: Munoz brings wealth of experience to Bruin grid family