5 Shocking Facts About The 1976 Murder Of Coach Bailey By Reagor That Still Haunts Oklahoma

The case of Coach Jerry Bailey and Paul Reagor Jr. remains one of the most compelling and tragic true-crime stories in Oklahoma history. Decades after the shocking events unfolded in the small town of Sapulpa, this cold case continues to generate intense public interest, fueled by recent documentaries and the best-selling book, *Because of the Hate: The Murder of Jerry Bailey*. As of today, December 15, 2025, the details surrounding the complex relationship between the respected high school football coach and his assistant are being re-examined, revealing a dark undercurrent beneath the surface of a seemingly perfect community.

The core of the tragedy lies in the sudden disappearance and brutal murder of a beloved figure by his trusted colleague. The investigation that followed exposed a complex web of emotions and motives that a Tulsa County jury struggled to unravel. This article delves into the specific profiles of the two men, the chilling sequence of events, and the bizarre, untimely fate of the convicted killer, Paul Reagor Jr.

The Tragic Profiles of Coach Jerry Bailey and Paul Reagor Jr.

The two men at the center of the Sapulpa tragedy were pillars of their community, which made the subsequent crime all the more devastating. Their professional relationship as high school educators and coaches was publicly known, but the intense, hidden nature of their private lives became the focus of a sensational murder trial.

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Jerry R. Bailey (Victim)

• Role: Head Football Coach at Sapulpa High School.
• Status: Highly respected and popular figure in the Sapulpa community.
• Career Detail: He had recently resigned from his position as head coach just before his disappearance in January 1976.
• Cause of Death: Stabbed multiple times.
• Legacy: His murder sent shockwaves across Oklahoma, forever linking his name to the state’s most notorious true-crime stories.

Paul Reagor Jr. (Perpetrator)

• Role: Assistant Football Coach and Vice Principal at Sapulpa High School.
• Status: Colleague and close associate of Coach Bailey.
• Conviction: Convicted of second-degree murder by a Tulsa County jury.
• Sentence: Sentenced to 10 years-to-life imprisonment.
• Fate: Died in 1979, before serving a single day of his sentence.
• Motive: He confessed to the stabbing, claiming the act was driven by "the hate."

The Shocking Disappearance and Discovery in 1976

The sequence of events began on a cold morning in January 1976. Coach Bailey and Vice Principal Reagor left Sapulpa High School together, a seemingly routine departure that quickly escalated into a frantic missing persons case. When neither man returned, an extensive search was launched, involving local law enforcement and concerned community members in Creek County and the surrounding areas.

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The search ended the following day with a grim discovery. Paul Reagor Jr. was found several towns away from Sapulpa, near an abandoned farmhouse. He was transported to a hospital, but the most horrifying revelation was yet to come.

Investigators located the body of Jerry Bailey stuffed into the trunk of Reagor’s car in Bixby, Oklahoma. The former head coach had suffered numerous stab wounds, indicating a violent and personal attack. The discovery immediately shifted the focus of the investigation from a missing persons case to a homicide, with Paul Reagor Jr. becoming the primary suspect.

The shocking nature of the crime—a beloved coach murdered by his own assistant and administrative colleague—rocked the foundations of the Sapulpa community. The idea that such a brutal act could occur between two respected figures in the local school system was almost unthinkable.

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The Trial, The Conviction, and The Mystery of "The Hate"

The ensuing trial captivated Oklahoma. The prosecution presented a case detailing the violent end of Coach Bailey, while the defense attempted to navigate the complex and often ambiguous nature of the relationship between the two men. A Tulsa County jury ultimately convicted Paul Reagor Jr. of second-degree murder, sentencing him to a term of 10 years-to-life in prison.

However, the most enduring question of the case revolves around Reagor's confessed motive: "the hate." The true meaning of this phrase has been the subject of intense speculation and media analysis for decades. True-crime writer Kirk McCracken extensively explored this dimension in his book, *Because of the Hate*, suggesting a deep-seated, complex, and potentially volatile personal relationship that existed beneath the surface of their professional lives.

The book details the intense fallout from the murder, illustrating how two small Oklahoma towns struggled to cope with the reality of a tragedy driven by personal animosity and dark secrets. The ambiguity of the motive—whether it was professional jealousy, a financial dispute, or a more intimate, unacknowledged conflict—has ensured the case’s perennial place in true-crime history.

Paul Reagor Jr.'s Untimely End and The Legacy of the Oklahoma Tragedy

One of the most bizarre and little-known facts of the case is the fate of Paul Reagor Jr. Though convicted and sentenced to a significant prison term, he never served a single day of his sentence. Just over three years after the murder, on January 22, 1979, Reagor died.

The circumstances of his death are a final, strange twist to the Sapulpa tragedy. Police reports indicated that Paul Reagor Jr. was struck by a semi-tractor trailer on a highway near his mother's home. The timing of his death is particularly chilling: it occurred approximately three years to the hour after Jerry Bailey was stabbed and left to die in the trunk of Reagor's car.

This untimely end meant that the full details and true motive behind "the hate" went with Reagor to the grave. The conviction stood, but the community never received a complete, satisfying explanation for the brutal act that shattered their sense of security and trust. The case continues to be a staple of true-crime podcasts and television episodes, such as those featured on Investigation Discovery (ID), ensuring that the names of Coach Bailey and Paul Reagor Jr. remain synonymous with one of Oklahoma's most complex and disturbing murders.

The murder of Jerry Bailey remains a stark reminder of the hidden lives and simmering conflicts that can exist even within the most respected community institutions. The enduring curiosity surrounding the "coach bailey and reagor oklahoma" story is a testament to the tragedy's profound impact and the questions that remain unanswered to this day.