2008-09 Ranger football coaches

Coach J.J. Eckert - Head Coach
Eckert will begin his third season at Kilgore College as head coach, but is no stranger to KC football supporters. 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 14-8, with one bowl appearance.

Russell Thompson - Defensive Coordinator
Thompson is a native of Jacksonville, spent four years at KC from 2000-2003. Prior to coming to Kilgore College, Coach Thompson spent the 2005-06 seasons at Garden City Community College in Garden City, Kan. as defensive line coach helping the Broncbusters reach the 2005 Dixie Rotatry Bowl. The 2004 season was spent at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas as the defensive line coach. During the 2000-2003 seasons at Kilgore, Coach Thompson coached the running backs. Thompson has also coached at Sulphur High School in Oklahoma, and East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma.

Jordan Lesley - Linebackers
Lesley is beginning his third season at Kilgore College as the linebackers coach. Prior to coming to Kilgore, Lesley spent two seasons as a graduate assistant with defense at his alma mater, Troy University, helping the Trojans to the 2006 Sun Belt Conference Championship and to a victory over Rice in the New Orleans Bowl. Coach Lesley attended Troy University 2000-2004 where he was a four-year letter winner and a two-year starter at tight-end and was elected a team captain in 2004. Lesley earned his Bachelor's Degree in Sport Management in 2005 and earned his Master's Degree in Sport Management in 2007.

Willie Gooden - Offensive Line
Gooden, a native of Hempstead, begins his third season as the Ranger offensive line coach. Prior to coming to Kilgore, Coach Gooden spent the last three seasons at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Okla., as defensive line coach. In 2005, Gooden graduated from NSU and became a graduate assistant defensive line coach for Northeastern. In 2006, Gooden took over the defensive line. He began his playing career at KC in 2000 and earned all-conference recognition in 2000-2001. He was also a part of the undefeated 2001 Ranger team that was ranked No. 2 in the nation. He earned all-conference recognition both years at NSU from 2002 - 2003. He is married to Tonya Norman Gooden.

Pat Gilbert - Assistant Coach
Gilbert, a native of LaMarque, begins his second season as the Rangers' running back coach. Prior to coming to KC, Coach Gilbert spent the last three years at Northeastern State University, earning second-team all-conference honors and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Health and Human Performance. He began his playing career at KC in 2000 and was also a part of the 2001 undefeated Ranger team that was ranked No. 2 in the nation.

Davon Vinson - Assistant Coach
Vinson begins his first year as assistant coach for the Rangers. Vinson, a Kilgore High School product, played quarterback for the Bulldogs. His senior year, he was named district MVP, completing 99 passes for 1,590 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was listed as the No. 67 prospect in Texas by SuperPrep.com and named as one of the nation's top 100 prep quarterbacks by Rivals.com. He signed with Baylor University out of high school and played as a true freshman. He then transferred to Northwestern State University in 2003 and started for three years with the Demons. As a junior in 2005, he was named a Preseason All-American and NSU won the conference championship. After college, he played in the World League in Europe in 2006. He also played in the American Football League in 2009.

Paul Burgos - Assistant Coach
Burgos played in the spring of 2008 for the Rangers, but suffered a career-ending shoulder injury. He graduated from Rockwall High School and was a member of the Yellowjackets football program as a standout player. Burgos is planning to pursue a career as a football coach.

Daniel Martinez - Assistant Coach
Martinez graduated from Elgin High School in 2006. He played linebacker at Elgin and was All-District his senior year and Academic All-District. In high school, he also participated in powerlifting and track. He is pursuing a coaching career and would like to transfer to the University of Texas at Austin to further his education.

Jerry Grafton - Director of Football Operations
Grafton is beginning his ninth year at KC and his first as Director of Football Operations for the Rangers. Grafton served as a volunteer for Kilgore High School for 17 years, and Carlisle High School for four. He served in the United States Navy for six years as a Hospital Naval Corpsman at M.C.D.E.C. in Quantico, Va., and at N.A.S. in Willow Grove, Pa. Grafton served as a trainer at M.C.D.E.C. for cross-country, track, football and wrestling.

Gary Wade - Assistant Coach
Gary Wade is entering his second year as a Ranger assistant coach this year. 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.

Past coaches cick here.