J. J. Eckert

Last updated
J. J. Eckert
Playing career
1994–1997 Northeastern State
Position(s) Quarterback
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1998–1999 Northeastern State (QB/WR)
2000 Kilgore (QB/WR)
2001–2004Kilgore (OC)
2005–2006 Garden City
2007–2018Kilgore
2019–2023Northeastern State
Head coaching record
Overall4–40 (college)
85–61 (junior college)
Bowls1–5 (junior college)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
2 SWJCFC (2015, 2018)
3 SWJCFC regular season (2007, 2012, 2018)
Awards
SWJCFC Coach of the Year (2018)

J. J. Eckert is an American college football coach. He was the head football coach for Northeastern State University from 2019 to 2023. He was previously head coach at Kilgore College in Texas and Garden City Community College in Kansas. [1] Eckert is also the son of long-time Northeastern State head coach Tom Eckert.

Contents

Playing career

In high school, Eckert was starting quarterback at Tahlequah High School for two seasons. He was also a Tulsa World All-Stater in 1993.

After a year at the University of Central Arkansas, Eckert transferred to Northeastern State University in 1994 to play quarterback under head coach Tom Eckert, his father. [2] He was a part of the teams that won the NAIA National Championship in 1994 and were National Runner-Ups in 1995. [3]

Coaching career

Eckert began his coaching career as a quarterback and wide receivers coach at Northeastern State in 1998. In 2000, he was hired by Jim Rieves at Kilgore College, a junior college in Kilgore, Texas, for the same position. The following season, he became Kilgore's offensive coordinator. [4]

In 2005, Eckert became the head coach at Garden City Community College in Garden City, Kansas. During his two-year stint there, the Broncbusters won 13 games and made a bowl appearance. [5]

In 2007 Eckert returned to Kilgore as their head coach. Over the next 12 seasons, he led Kilgore to a 72–53 record, two Southwest Junior College Football Conference championships, three regular season conference titles, and five bowl appearances. [6] Eckert was awarded as Conference Coach of the Year in 2018 after a 10-2 championship season. [7]

In December 2018, Eckert returned to Northeastern State as their 20th head football coach. [8]

Personal life

Eckert and his wife, Amanda, have three children. [9] He is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. [10]

Head coaching record

Junior college

YearTeamOverallConferenceStandingBowl/playoffs
Garden City Broncbusters (Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference)(2005–2006)
2005 Garden City7–46–12ndL Dixie Rotary Bowl
2006 Garden City6–44–34th
Garden City:13–810–4
Kilgore Rangers (Southwest Junior College Football Conference)(2007–2018)
2007 Kilgore8–45–11stL C.H.A.M.P.S. Heart of Texas Bowl
2008 Kilgore6–45–2T–2nd
2009 Kilgore4–63–34th
2010 Kilgore4–63–3T–3rd
2011 Kilgore3–62–46th
2012 Kilgore8–35–1T–1stL Brazos Valley Bowl
2013 Kilgore4–53–3T–3rd
2014 Kilgore7–34–2T–2nd
2015 Kilgore7–53–34thL C.H.A.M.P.S. Heart of Texas Bowl
2016 Kilgore6–54–32ndL Mississippi Bowl
2017 Kilgore5–44–3T–4th
2018 Kilgore10–26–2T–1stW C.H.A.M.P.S. Heart of Texas Bowl
Kilgore:72–5347–30
Total:86–61
      National championship        Conference title        Conference division title or championship game berth

College

YearTeamOverallConferenceStandingBowl/playoffs
Northeastern State RiverHawks (Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association)(2019–2023)
2019 Northeastern State0–110–1112th
2020–21 Northeastern State0–10–0N/A
2021 Northeastern State2–92–911th
2022 Northeastern State1–101–1011th
2023 Northeastern State2–91–910th
Northeastern State:5–404–39
Total:5–40

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cherokee County, Oklahoma</span> County in Oklahoma, United States

Cherokee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 47,078. Its county seat is Tahlequah, which is also the capital of the Cherokee Nation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tahlequah, Oklahoma</span> City in Oklahoma, United States

Tahlequah is a city in Cherokee County, Oklahoma located at the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. It is part of the Green Country region of Oklahoma and was established as a capital of the 19th-century Cherokee Nation in 1839, as part of the new settlement in Indian Territory after the Cherokee Native Americans were forced west from the American Southeast on the Trail of Tears.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northeastern State University</span> Public university in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, US

Northeastern State University (NSU) is a public university with its main campus in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. The university also has two other campuses in Muskogee and Broken Arrow as well as online. Northeastern is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of Oklahoma as well as one of the oldest institutions of higher learning west of the Mississippi River. Tahlequah is home to the capital of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma and about 25 percent of the students at NSU identify themselves as American Indian. The university has many courses focused on Native American linguistics, and offers Cherokee language Education as a major. Cherokee can be studied as a second language, and some classes are taught in Cherokee for first language speakers as well.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Kragthorpe</span> American football player and coach (born 1965)

Steven Jon Kragthorpe is an American football coach and former player. He is currently an administrative assistant for the Louisiana State University football program after previously serving as quarterbacks coach for the Tigers football team. He served as head coach at Louisville from 2007 to 2009, and for Tulsa from 2003 through 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doc Wadley Stadium</span>

Doc Wadley Stadium located in Tahlequah, Oklahoma is the home stadium of the NCAA Division II college football team the RiverHawks of Northeastern State University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Logan (American football)</span> American football coach (born 1953)

Steve Logan is an American football coach who was recently the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Birmingham Iron of the Alliance of American Football (AAF). Logan was also the head football coach at East Carolina University from 1992 to 2002, compiling a record of 69–58.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tulsa Golden Hurricane football</span> American football team in Oklahoma

The Tulsa Golden Hurricane football program represents the University of Tulsa in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level. Tulsa has competed in the American Athletic Conference since the 2014 season and was previously a member of Conference USA (C-USA). The team is led by head coach Kevin Wilson. Tulsa plays its home games at Skelly Field at H. A. Chapman Stadium in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The University of Tulsa has the smallest undergraduate enrollment of all schools that participate at the FBS level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northeastern State RiverHawks football</span> College football team

The Northeastern State RiverHawks football program represents Northeastern State University in college football and competes in the NCAA Division II. In 2012, Northeastern State became member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA), and has remained in the league. NSU's football program will become an independent program, beginning in August 2024. NSU's home games are played at Doc Wadley Stadium in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

Guy "Ducky" Lookabaugh was an American football player, wrestler, and coach of football, basketball, and wrestling, and college athletics administrator. He competed in the freestyle welterweight event at the 1924 Summer Olympics. Lookabaugh served as the head football coach at Northeastern State Teachers College—now known as Northeastern State University—in Tahlequah, Oklahoma from 1929 to 1935 and at Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa from 1936 to 1939. He was also the head basketball coach at Northeastern State from 1929 to 1934. Lookabaugh played college football at Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College—now known as Oklahoma State University–Stillwater. He was an assistant football coach and head wrestling coach at the University of Kansas in the late 1920s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Oklahoma Bronchos football</span> College football team (University of Central Oklahoma)

The Central Oklahoma Bronchos football team represents the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) in college football. The team is a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA), which is in Division II of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The Bronchos football program began in 1902 and has since compiled over 600 wins, two national championships, and 27 conference championships. As of 2022, the Bronchos are ranked fifth in NCAA Division II for wins. In 1962, the Bronchos went 11–0 on the season and defeated Lenoir–Rhyne University (NC) 28–13 in the Camellia Bowl to claim its first NAIA national championship. Twenty years later, Central Oklahoma defended its home turf and defeated Colorado Mesa University 14–11 in the NAIA national championship game to take its second title and finish the season with a 10–2 record. Despite its rich history in football, Central Oklahoma has struggled beginning in the late 2000s. The program has not participated in the NCAA Division II playoffs since 2003. The Bronchos play their home games at Chad Richison Stadium, a 12,000-seat football stadium built in 1965, and remodeled in 2022. The Bronchos have enjoyed nine undefeated home seasons and are 5–1 in playoff games at Wantland Stadium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Oklahoma–Northeastern State football rivalry</span> American college football rivalry

The Central Oklahoma–Northeastern State football rivalry, commonly referred to as the Battle for the President's Cup, is an American college football rivalry game played annually between the Central Oklahoma Bronchos football team of the University of Central Oklahoma from Edmond, Oklahoma, and the Northeastern State RiverHawks football team of Northeastern State University from Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Both schools currently compete in the NCAA Division II level, and are members of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA). Central Oklahoma, formerly Central State, has a 54–27–2 advantage in the series but Northeastern State has kept the series record close since the introduction of the President's cup in 1998.

Rob Robinson is an American football coach and former player. He is formerly the head football coach at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Robinson was announced as the new head coach on December 19, 2013, replacing Kenny Evans. Before becoming head coach at Northeastern State, Robinson was an assistant coach and offensive coordinator at Washburn. It was announced in October 2018, that his contract would not be renewed. Robinson resigned on October 31, 2018, with only two season games left.

Ryan Dalton Helsley is an American professional baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2019.

Eddie Griffin is a former American collegiate athletic director and collegiate wrestling coach. He served as the athletic director at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Oklahoma from 2017 to 2020. Prior to this Griffin served as the athletic director at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and the head wrestling coach at Central Oklahoma, and Clemson University.

Tom Eckert is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma from 1987 to 2002, compiling a record of 101–71–3. During that time, he led his team to the NCAA Division II playoffs in 1999 and 2000.

Kenneth Gwane Evans is a retired American football coach. Evans previously served as head football coach at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma and East Central High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Evans has worked as an assistant coach at Oklahoma, Florida, North Texas, and Louisiana Tech.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">J. J. McCarthy</span> American football player (born 2003)

Jonathan James McCarthy is an American football quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL).

The 1958 Northeastern State Redmen football team represented Northeastern State University as a member of the Oklahoma Collegiate Conference (OCC) during the 1958 NAIA football season. In their third season under head coach Harold "Tuffy" Stratton, the Redmen compiled a perfect 11–0 record and won the OCC championship. In the post-season, they defeated St. Benedict's in the NAIA playoffs and Arizona State–Flagstaff in the Holiday Bowl to win the NAIA national championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Spurrier Jr.</span> American football coach (born 1971)

Steve Spurrier Jr. is an American football coach. He is the associate head coach, offensive coordinator, and running backs coach at the University of Tulsa, a position he has held since 2024. He previously served as the wide receivers coach at Mississippi State University from 2020 to 2022.

The 1963 Northastern State Redmen football team was an American football team that represented Northeastern State University of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, as a member of the Oklahoma Collegiate Conference (OCC) during the 1963 NAIA football season. In their second year under head coach Tracy Norwood, the Redmen compiled a perfect 11–0 record, won the OIC championship, defeated Slippery Rock in the All Sports Bowl, and outscored opponents by a total of 277 to 74. Northastern State was ranked No. 4 in the final National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) poll.

References

  1. ↑ "Eckert leaving to become head coach at Northeastern State University - Longview News-Journal". news-journal.com. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  2. ↑ "Eckert Taking Care of Business for NSU, Dad - Tulsa World". tulsaworld.com. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  3. ↑ "J.J. Eckert named next NSU head football coach - Tahlequah Daily Press". tahlequahdailypress.com. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  4. ↑ "Kilgore College Football History (2000-2016)- Kilgore College" (PDF). kilgore.edu. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  5. ↑ "Dixie Rotary Bowl - Utah Valley Daily Herald". heraldextra.com. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  6. ↑ "Eckert leaving KC for alma mater - Kilgore News Herald". kilgorenewsherald.com. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  7. ↑ "MIAA Football Media Day set for Wednesday - Tahlequah Daily Press". tahlequahdailypress.com. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  8. ↑ "NSU announces J.J. Eckert as Head Football Coach- NSU Athletics". goriverhawksgo.com. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  9. ↑ "Staff Directory - NSU Athletics". goriverhawksgo.com. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  10. ↑ "Eckert hopes to revive Northeastern State's football fortunes - Cherokee Phoenix". cherokeephoenix.org. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.