Coach confronts knife-wielding man to protect high school team: ‘I would do it again’

CAMERON, Okla. (KFSM) – An Oklahoma man may have just become coach of the year.

The high school baseball coach was traveling with his players when one of them encountered a man with a knife.

The Cameron High School baseball coach has spent years teaching his players what it means to be a good teammate.

“Nobody’s really going to care what your batting average is five years from now. They’re going to care what kind of person you are,” Lomon said.

On Aug. 16, Lomon got a chance to show his players what he meant.

Lomon and his high school team were staying at a hotel in Shawnee. Around 9 p.m. that night, his phone rang.

“It was one of my kids saying that someone just pulled a knife on him. So, I’m responsible for 13 high school boys,” Lomon said.

The coach said he told his players to get into their rooms and call 911.

When Lomon stepped into the hallway, Christopher Stevens was by the elevator with an open knife, according to a Shawnee police report.

Lomon told Stevens to put the knife down, but he said the man kept coming toward him.

“I react and I didn’t have much time to think about it,” Lomon said.

The police report said Lomon punched Stevens several times, then held him down until officers arrived.

The report said two knives were found at the scene.

Stevens was arrested and no one was hurt.

Lomon is now being represented by Fort Smith attorney Joey McCutcheon.

McCutcheon said what Lomon did that night went beyond what’s normally asked of a coach.

“He literally put his life on the line for his players and that’s something that they’re going to remember throughout their life,” McCutcheon said.

“I don’t think I’m a hero. I just think I would do it again. I think a lot of coaches, most coaches or most people I know would do the same thing,” Lomon said.

Lomon said when those 13 players are with him, they’re his responsibility.

“I think the situation might be another level where they know I’ll fight for them,” Lomon said.

Lomon’s attorney is alleging the hotel failed to protect its guests and Stevens should have been removed from the property.…Read more by KFSM via CNN Newsource, Taylor Howard