JD Runnels joined the East Central University football staff as an assistant coach for running backs in the 2021 season.
Prior to joining the Tigers, Runnels was the head football coach at West Junior High School for two seasons. He also spent four seasons as the strength coach for Harrah Soccer (2016-19) and was the assistant football coach at Choctaw High School in 2016.
Runnels was a standout football player at the University of Oklahoma, where he was a team captain, Don Key Award winner, All-Big 12 First Team honoree and named the freshman of the year in 2002.
After his collegiate career, he was a 2006 sixth round National Football League draft pick by the Chicago Bears.
The Midwest City, Okla., native earned a bachelor’s degree in multidisciplinary studies from the University of Oklahoma in May 2011.
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