On this episode of East Texas Sports Now, Kilgore College athletic director Dr. Courtney Pruitt joins the show to discuss a major milestone for women’s athletics: the National Junior College Athletic Association elevating women’s flag football to championship sport status.

Pruitt, who serves as chair of the NJCAA women’s flag football sports committee, explains how the sport has rapidly grown at the junior college level and why the NJCAA wanted to create more opportunities for female student-athletes. She talks about the committee’s work, the expanding number of programs across the country, and how high school flag football growth is helping fuel the sport’s rise at the college level.

The conversation also explores the possibility of women’s flag football at Kilgore College, what that could look like in the future, and how the sport could give more East Texas athletes a chance to compete at the next level. Pruitt also discusses the excitement surrounding flag football becoming an Olympic sport in 2028 and why the game has become so appealing to athletes and fans.

Pruitt also reflects on her own journey in athletics, including becoming the first Black woman to serve as athletic director at Kilgore College, her time as a successful women’s basketball coach at Wiley College/Wiley University, and her induction into the Red River Athletic Conference Hall of Fame. She shares what it means to develop student-athletes beyond sports and help them become successful people in life.

The episode also highlights Pruitt’s East Texas roots as a proud Longview Lady Lobo, her connection to the Longview community, and why serving student-athletes close to home has been such a meaningful part of her career.

On this episode of East Texas Sports Now, new Sabine Cardinals athletic director and head football coach Tim Russell joins the show to talk about his move to Sabine and the challenge of leading the Cardinals into a new era.

Russell discusses how the opportunity at Sabine came together, the relationships and connections that helped make the move possible, and why he believes the school, community, administration, and athletes are ready to take steps forward. He also talks about the importance of fit when taking a coaching job and why Sabine felt like the right place at the right time.

The conversation dives into Russell’s approach to building a coaching staff, including the addition of coordinators Chris Jones and Aaron Slaughter, as well as the importance of hiring coaches who love kids, fit the culture, and can help develop young athletes both on and off the field. Russell also explains why being an athletic director means supporting every sport, not just football, and why showing up for student-athletes matters.

Looking ahead, Russell breaks down the process of rebuilding a Sabine football program coming off a winless season. He talks about focusing on fundamentals, honesty, effort, competition, and helping players see their own potential. He also discusses the Cardinals’ tough district, which includes Atlanta, Gladewater, Tatum, White Oak, Liberty-Eylau, and Sabine, and why the team’s focus will be on taking everything one day, one practice, and one game at a time.

Russell also reflects on his coaching journey, including his long tenure at Harmony, time at Pine Tree, and recent run at Grace Community. He shares the biggest lessons he has learned as a head coach, including the importance of toughness, relationships, servanthood, and building young men who are prepared for challenges beyond football.

On this episode of East Texas Sports Now, former Henderson Lion and former Major League Baseball pitcher Tyrell Jenkins joins the show as he begins a new chapter as the head baseball coach for the Grapeland Sandies.

Jenkins talks about how the opportunity at Grapeland came together, his conversations with Coach Wood, and why the small-town community felt like the right fit. He also discusses joining the football staff as the quarterbacks coach, getting to know the athletes, and preparing for the upcoming season in the East Texas heat.

The conversation also looks back at Jenkins’ playing career, from being a standout multi-sport athlete at Henderson High School to choosing professional baseball after being drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals. Jenkins reflects on originally wanting to play quarterback at Baylor, the advice he received from Coach Art Briles, and why he ultimately decided to begin his professional baseball journey.

Jenkins also shares memories from his time in professional baseball, including being traded to the Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers, making his MLB debut in Miami, and facing big-league hitters on the sport’s biggest stage. He explains how those experiences now shape the way he coaches and mentors high school athletes.

Looking ahead, Jenkins breaks down his vision for the Grapeland baseball program, including teaching the game the right way, keeping things simple, building relationships, and helping players handle adversity both on and off the field. He also explains why East Texas sports are different and why the passion, pride, and community support make coaching in this region so special.

Also in this episode, the show recaps the Texas State 7-on-7 Tournament in College Station, including results from East Texas teams such as Lindale, Chapel Hill, Trinity, Jefferson, Daingerfield, Tyler High, Tyler Legacy, and West Rusk, which made a run all the way to the Division III championship game.