Departures Continue at Tulsa Central

Two more coaches and a player are slated to leave the Braves program.

Thursday, July 28th 2011, 5:33 pm

By: News On 6

Originally Published: Feb 18, 2010 11:57 PM CDT

Andrew Topps
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

TULSA, Oklahoma -- The departures are starting to mount for the Tulsa Central football program. Running backs coach Kevin Rucker Sr. and athlete Kevin Rucker Jr. are leaving the Braves program to join Corey Russell at Idabel.

“I didn’t want to be with a head coach I didn’t know,” Rucker Jr. said. “I trust coach [Russell] and I didn’t want to be in an environment with a coach I didn’t like.”

Russell was named Idabel head coach earlier in February. He guided Tulsa Central to its first playoff appearance since 2003 this past season.

Rucker Jr. played free safety, quarterback and running back for the Braves last season. Even though he has yet to take a trip to Idabel, he does not see a problem with his new surroundings.

“If [coach Russell] likes it enough to move down there then I’m pretty sure I’ll like it,” Rucker said. “My dad trusts coach Russell and I trust him. I’m happy to go and try to start something down in Idabel.”

Rucker Jr. said offensive line coach Jeffery Gibson will move to Idabel also.