Football has been a big part of JD Runnels’ life, so it is no surprise that he decided to join the coaching ranks after his playing days were over. And while he loves the game, he says that there is another reason that he enjoys being a coach.
“I enjoy impacting young lives through faith,” Runnels said. “I also like being able to help lead them into a successful life journey.”
Runnels is in his first season leading the Mount St. Mary Rocket’s football team. He will also be the school’s head track coach. The decision to become a high school coach was one that was not in his plan.
“Deciding to become a coach came about because of my training gym in Choctaw,” he stated. “Also, coaching my son helped push me into the coaching business and I am very glad that they did.”
Throughout his life, there have been a number of outstanding coaches at the high school, college, and professional levels that have had a big influence on Runnels, not just as a coach, but also as a player and a person.
“Gary Rose, Tex Rollins, Mike Parker, Matt Weber, Dal Nichols, Bobby Brock, Mike Goff, Kyle Richey, Wayne Dozier, and Matt Vinyard have all had an impact on me both as a player and a coach,” he said. “Some coaches that I look up to and respect, both as coaches and as men, are Bob Stoops, Kevin Sumlin, Jonathan Hayes, Lovie Smith and Ron Rivera.”
Coach Runnels has enjoyed a lot of great moments and made some great memories during his journey so far. As he looks back, he is proud of the impact that he has made and he is looking forward to continuing to help young men grow.
“One of my highlights has been winning on and off the field,” he said. “Scholarships to OU for players like Logan Roberson and Marcus Major still give me chills thinking about their journey at my training gym in Choctaw. For Oklahoma State, Jason Taylor and Anthony Goodlow were great athletes that helped boost my business.”
There were also a number of other memories that are important to coach Runnels, including starting a little league team from scratch and leading them to victories, leading Moore West eighth grade to back to back winning seasons, helping East Central University running backs get three different running backs in the end zone in one season, going from little league coach to the USFL in a little over year, drafting and assisting in the development of Markies Thompson, 2023 UFL Offensive Player of the Year, and leading Western Heights to their first victory in over 3 years.
