Ranger football coaches

Coach J.J. Eckert - Head Coach, QB's, Receivers

Eckert will begin his fifth season at Kilgore College as head coach. Eckert was the offensive coordinator for the Rangers from 2001-2004, before accepting a head coaching job with Garden City where his teams compiled a 13-8 record and appeared in the 2005 Dixie Rotary Bowl in St. George, Utah. As Kilgore’s offensive coordinator, Eckert was a part of Kilgore’s 2001 and 2004 SWJCFC’s championship teams. Thus far, he has complied a record at KC of 18-11, with one bowl appearance. He is married to wife, Amanda, and they have one daughter, Abby.

Willie Gooden - Defensive Line

Gooden, a native of Hempstead, begins his fifth season as a coach at KC. Prior to KC, he spent three seasons at N.E. State University in Tahlequah, Okla., as defensive line coach. In 2005, he graduated from NSU and became a grad. assistant defensive line coach. In 2006, Gooden took over the defensive line. He began his playing career at KC in 2000 and earned all-conference in 2000-01. He was also a part of the undefeated 2001 Ranger team.He is married to Tonya Norman Gooden.

Josh Pruitt - Quarterbacks & Recievers

Josh Pruitt is in his first season with KC. Prior to KC, he spent three months as the wide receivers coach at Catholic University in Washington, D.C., following a five-year association with Troy University as a player and graduate assistant coach. Pruitt earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in criminal justice from Troy in 2006 and 2008, respectively, He served as tight ends coach, while also assisting with O-line. During Pruitt’s three years on Troy’s staff, the Trojans claimed three straight Sun Belt Conference titles and made back-to-back bowl appearances in 2008 (New Orleans Bowl) and 2009 (GMAC Bowl). The son of Barb Armstrong, Pruitt has one brother, Jerrod.

Gary Wade - Special Teams

Wade is entering his fourth year as a Ranger assistant coach this year. He also serves as coach of the special teams. With Wade's lifelong love and knowledge of football, he will serve as a recruiter and assistant coach for the Rangers. Wade is an owner of the famous Boomtown BBQ located on Hwy. 259 in Kilgore, an internationally known barbecue joint.

Nick Dobler - Defensive Backs

Bio coming soon

Corey Valdetero - Equipment Manager

Corey is a 2003 graduate of Kilgore High School where he served as a student athletic trainer for two years. He also graduated from Kilgore College in 2009 with an Associate's Degree in Kinesiology. Corey has worked as a student trainer for six years at KC and currently serves as Equipment Manager. He was student trainer in 2004 for the SWJCFC Conference Championship team. He is also an avid Texas Longhorns football fan.