The Mansfield School District has found a new Tiger to add to their roster. Mr. Mark Tolton has been hired on to be the new assistant football coach, math teacher, and to teach PE. When it comes to coaching, Tolton is no stranger to the game. “I’ve played football since I was eight years old,” Tolton says. “I volunteered in college and even after graduation, I continued to volunteer in the sport. I played for Fort Smith Southside and was on their first state championship team in 1983.”
“I was fortunate to have been hired at Hackett as an assistant coach for both football and baseball. I became Western Yell County’s Head Coach the first year they played a varsity schedule and then moved back to Fort Smith and became Head Coach at Trinity Junior High. Now, I’m very honored to have been hired on at Mansfield High School.” Coach Tolton knew from a young age that coaching was what he wanted to do in life. When he 13, Tolton had to fill in as head coach for his brothers’ boys club basketball team. It was at that moment that he knew coaching was where his heart was.
Mark Tolton and his significant other, Kristy, share four kids and seven grandkids between them. Growing up in Fort Smith, Mark attended Bonneville Elementary, Chaffin Junior High, and Southside High School. Coach Tolton graduated from ATU with a Bachelor of Science in Health/PE along with graduating from Southwestern Oklahoma State with a Masters in Educational Administration.
“I wanted to come to Mansfield especially after I knew that Mr. Eveld was Principal. I have great respect for him and knew I’d like to work for him if given the opportunity. I enjoy coaching and working with young people while watching their growth academically and professionally.” We’d like to welcome Coach Tolton and family to the Resident Press area.
