Staff

Pine Tree ISD Coaching Staff 2023-2024

Jacob Holder – Athletic Director

Coach Holder is originally from Rowlett, TX. After playing football at Ouachita Baptist University, Coach Holder began his teaching and coaching career at Rockwall High School in 2006. He joined Pine Tree in 2019 after short stints at Mount Vernon as the defensive coordinator, Grapevine as a defensive backs coach, and North Forney as the defensive coordinator. He and his wife, Megan, have two kids. The Holders are excited to be a part of the Pine Tree Family!

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Jason Bachman - Assistant Athletic Director

Coach Jason Bachman is the head football coach. He came to Pine Tree from Calvary Baptist Academy where he was offensive coordinator and coached in two state championships. Coach Bachman went to Evangel Christian Academy where he played in four state championships. Following high school, he attended Louisiana Tech University. This is Coach Bachman’s 7th year coaching at Pine Tree. He and his wife Emily recently celebrated their first wedding anniversary. They are proud to be Pine Tree Pirates!

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Emily Bachman

Coach Emily Bachman was born and raised in Longview and spent first through twelfth grade at Pine Tree, graduating in 2014. She went to Texas Tech University and studied kinesiology. This is Emily's fifth year at Pine Tree. She is a special education teacher and coaches track and cross country. In June, she married Coach Jason Bachman! Emily LOVES being a Pine Tree Pirate!

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Alex Barron

Alex Barron is a 2006 New Diana Graduate. From Longview, TX, he attended Pine Tree from pre-K to 11th grade. While at New Diana, he was 1st Team All-State, All East Texas, and All-District Kicker in 2005. He still holds the class 2A Texas State record for the longest field goal at 57 yards. Coach Barron attended UT Arlington, majoring in Kinesiology. He played 5 seasons of professional arena football for the Texas Rattlers, Mesquite Wranglers, and Texas Revolution. This year will be his 7th year as football special teams coach, assistant soccer, and head goalie coach. Coach Barron and his wife Dulce have two daughters, Aliya and Eliana.

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Matthew Bryant

Coach Bryant is from Gilmer, TX. He attended the University of Texas at Tyler and earned a Bachelor’s of Science, majoring in History with a minor in Social Studies. Coach Bryant has eleven years coaching experience. Coach Bryant has been married to his wife Amanda for 11 years and they have a daughter named Elizabeth and a son named Turner. He likes to spend time with his family and likes to hunt and fish as much as he can. He absolutely loves coaching and the game of football; it provides a wonderful opportunity for many of our young men.

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Kyle Burns

Coach Burns is originally from Pittsburg, TX. He attended Stephen F. Austin State University and has a Bachelor of Science degree. Coach Burns has 24 years coaching experience, with 21 of those at Pine Tree. His experience includes various positions/sports from JH to HS at Union Grove (2007-2010) and 2 stints at Pine Tree (1999-2007 & 2010-present). Coach Burns and his wife Tina have 2 children, son Kole (19) and daughter Taylor (27).

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Torrin Bush

Torrin Bush was born and raised in Longview,TX, and is a Hallsville High School graduate. Coach Bush was a 2yr starter at Kilgore College and starter on the SWJCF Championship Team in 2004. He is a graduate of Tarleton State University where he was preseason All American and a starter on LSC conference championship team 2006. Coach Bush has a younger brother who coaches at Hallsville. He has previously taught/coached at Hallsville, Longview, and Harleton.

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Wayne Daniels

Coach Daniels is a graduate of Kilgore High School and Texas Christian University. He played defensive end for the Horned Frogs and was a member of the 2011 Rose Bowl Championship team. He was also a 2010 College All-American. Coach Daniels will be teaching PE at Birch Elementary for Pine Tree. He coaches football, basketball, and track. Coach Daniels and his wife Meghan have 2 boys; a 5 year old son named Titan and 3 year old Legend.

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Jarod Davidson

Jarod Davidson is entering his 10th year in education and his first year at Pine Tree High School where he will be the Head Baseball Coach and assist with 9th grade football. Coach Davidson spent the past five years at Spring Hill ISD where he coached baseball and football. Prior to that, he was at North Lamar and Rivercrest High School. He is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University and Rivercrest High School. Coach Davidson and his wife Dayna have 3 kids, Jeremiah (4), Ruth (3), and Malachi (newborn).

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Larry Denkins M.Ed., LAT – Head Athletic Trainer

Coach Denkins is from Longview, TX and is an alumnus of Pine Tree High School. He attended East Texas Baptist University and received his B.S. in Athletic Training. Coach Denkins received his Master of Education from Concordia University in Austin. He has been an Athletic Trainer at Pine Tree since the Fall of 2008. Coach Denkins and his wife Rachael are welcoming their first child, Reina Leigh, into their family this fall to join their two dogs, Leo (4) and Momo (11).

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Kyle Dennis

Lacy Dennis

Brad Drust

Coach Brad Drust is beginning his tenth year as a football coach, with this being his second year as an assistant at Pine Tree High School. Prior to joining the Pine Tree staff this year, he coached football and baseball at Paris ISD (2019-2021), Eldorado HS in Eldorado, IL (2015-2018), and in Carterville, IL (2014). Coach Drust was a three-sport athlete at Carterville High School, where he was a four-year varsity letterman in football, basketball, and baseball. Coach Drust is a graduate from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education/Teaching and was a Division I pitcher for the Salukis. Coach Drust is supported by his girlfriend, Kannan Reynolds. We are excited to serve the Pirate community!

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Cody Ellis

Coach Ellis is our Strength & Conditioning Director and is in his 18th year coaching at the High School and Collegiate level. He holds a Master of Education Degree in Kinesiology from the University of Texas at Tyler. He is certified by the USAW as a Sports Performance Coach and the National Academy of Sports Medicine as a Performance Enhancing Specialist. Coach Ellis is also Safe Sport Certified and has completed the USADA Coach’s Advantage Program. This allows Coach Ellis to become 1 of 75 Strength Coaches in the State of Texas to be named in the directory for the United States of America Weightlifting. Coach Ellis is also a member of the National High School Strength Coaches Association where he has been nominated as NHSSCA Coach of the Year in 2020 and 2022. Ellis is also a member of the National Strength & Conditioning Association. He played baseball at Tyler Junior College and the University of Arkansas at Monticello. He returned to coach at Tyler Junior College after graduation from UAM and won a National Championship in 2007 as an assistant coach. Ellis has been a Strength & Conditioning Director at Henderson ISD, Brownsboro ISD, and also Frankston ISD. Coach Ellis and his wife Allison have a 15 year old daughter named Cadence and a 6 year old son named Cannon.

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Jordan Fuller

Cal Goss

Coach Goss is a graduate of Henderson High School and attended Barclay College where he played basketball. Coach Goss is in his 12th year of coaching and has previously coached at Henderson and Carlisle. He has been a head basketball coach for 4 years and head volleyball for 7 years.

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Jerry Griffith

Coach Griffith is a Graduate of Union Grove. He went on to study kinesiology at Howard Payne University. He began his coaching career in New Boston, Texas before moving back to Gladewater. Jerry spent 12 years at Forest Park in Longview, before spending time at Sabine and White Oak. Jerry married Stephanie Elrod from Gladewater, and they have a son, Landon, who will be a Sophomore at Kilgore College and a daughter, Landry, who will be an Sophomore at Sabine. Jerry will be coaching JH Boys this year.

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Taylor Guinn

Coach Guinn is a 2010 graduate of Idalou HS, and a 2015 graduate of Texas Tech University. He and his wife Callie have twin 4 year old boys (Graham & Grayson) and a 2 year old boy (Holden). Coach Guinn is entering his 7th year of coaching, and his 4th year at Pine Tree. Coach Guinn will be the Head Golf coach and is teaching World History at the High School.

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Justin Hales

Head boys basketball coach and assistant track coach. He is originally from Liberty CIty, Texas and is a 2007 graduate of Gladewater High School. Coach Hales graduated from Angelo State University in 2014 with a bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary studies and finished his master’s degree in Health and Human Performance from Sul Ross State University. Coach Hales and his wife Hayley, who is a 2008 Pine Tree graduate and educator as well at Spring Hill ISD, have one son Harrison Flinn Hales who is 2 years old. He has coached in a variety of different settings from the collegiate level to head boys basketball coach in a few different districts. This will be his 7th year in public education and his 9th year of coaching overall. Coach Hales served two years as the head boys basketball coach at Milano High School. In that time his program achieved back to back playoff appearances and a playoff victory in 2017 advancing to the area round of the UIL playoffs. He is in his 2nd year as head basketball coach at Pine Tree and is excited to be a part of the family at Pine Tree! Go Pirates!

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David Ham

Coach Ham is a graduate of Southwestern Oklahoma State University where he majored in Education. Coach Ham has received two Masters Degrees one in 2009 & another in 2018. Coach Ham has one 12 year old daughter. He is going into his 25th year of teaching and coaching. This will be Coach Ham’s first year here at Pine Tree ISD and He is proud to be Pirate 🏴‍☠️! #ALL IN

Brandon Hampton

Brandon Hampton is the Defensive Coordinator and Outside Linebackers Coach. Coach Hampton is originally from Eldorado IL. He graduated from Greenville University (IL) with a degree in Special Education. Coach Hampton enters his 23rd year in coaching - his second at Pine Tree. His experience includes both collegiate and high school stops in Texas, Virginia, North Carolina, and Illinois. Prior to arriving at Pine Tree, Hampton served as the Defensive Coordinator at Paris High School (TX) for 4 seasons. During that span, the Wildcats won 11 playoff games and were Regional Finalists in 2020. Prior to Paris, Hampton served as the Head Football Coach at Eldorado High School (IL) for 9 seasons. Hampton’s teams reached the postseason in 6 of 9 years. In 2016, Eldorado won back-to-back district titles for the first time in school history and won their first playoff game in 28 years. That season, Coach Hampton was named Southern Illinois Coach of the Year. Coach Hampton and his wife Ginger of 22 years have 2 daughters. Hope (18) is a recent graduate of Pine Tree High School, and Gracey Belle (13) attends Pine Tree Junior High. The Hampton family is excited to serve as part of the Pine Tree family.

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Anthony Hatten

Coach Anthony Hatten is from Hughes Springs TX. He graduated from Kilgore Jr College and Henderson State University. This will be Coach Hatten’s first year coaching. He loves spending time with family, playing video games and cooking.

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Damon Holmes

Coach Damon Holmes began his coaching/teaching career after graduating from Southern Methodist University in 1990. He has coached at schools in and around Houston, Dallas, and East Texas, including most recently at Hallsville and Harmony HS. He has two children, Haley and Hayden, and his wife Patty has two daughters, Katie and Alyson. Outside of school, Coach Holmes enjoys hunting and fishing, and hiking with Patty.

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Ashia Kelly

Coach Kelly is the basketball varsity assistant and assistant volleyball coach. This will be her 5th year teaching science and coaching. She began her teaching and coaching career as an alumni for Kilgore High School. Her and her daughter, Kinley (7), are ecstatic for their new adventure as Pirates and look forward to the impact they will have on the athletes in the Pine Tree Family.

Coach Kelly attended the University of Central Florida (UCF) and received her Bachelor of Science in Health Science. She plans to attain her Masters degree within the next two years.

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Luther Kirkpatrick

Coach Kirkpatrick is our Head softball coach and Junior High Boys Coordinator. He graduated from Whitesboro, TX, in 1997, and is an alumnus of Southeastern Oklahoma State University (2002). He is entering his 20th year of teaching and coaching with stops at Blooming Grove, Munday (2007 Class A Football State Champions), Riesel, Callisburg and Centerville. Coach Kirkpatrick has coached football (head coach 1 year) basketball (head coach 9 years), baseball, track, golf, tennis, and softball (entering his 6th year as a head coach). He has two children, daughter Laci Sandoff (30) and her husband Cody and son Dylan Morgan (25). He also has two wonderful granddaughters Sutton Sandoff and Kynlee Morgan. Coach Kirkpatrick is excited to begin year three as a Pine Tree Pirate.

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Stephanie Loveland BSAT, LAT, ATC – Assistant Athletic Trainer

Coach Loveland is originally from Oregon where she attended George Fox University and received her Bachelors of Science in Athletic Training. She was a high school athletic trainer in Portland, Oregon for six years before relocating her family to Texas in summer of 2022. She will be teaching Kinesiology I & II at Pine Tree High School. Coach Loveland and her husband Brian are proud parents of two little girls: Hazel, two; and the baby, Isla.

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Kip Picarella

Coach Picarella (aka. Coach P.) and his wife Alyssa have two kids, Benjamin and Kassidy. He attended East Texas Baptist University and received his B.S. in Athletic Training, as well as recently graduating with his Masters Degree from the University of Hawaii. He has been an athletic trainer since 2013 and worked with sports teams ranging from Junior High to Professional athletes. He and his family are excited to be returning to the Pine Tree family!

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Rodrick Portley

Coach Portley is entering his 21st year teaching and 8th year here at Pine Tree ISD. This year he will be teaching Counseling and Mental Health, and Lifetime Nutrition at the High School. He will be coaching Freshman football, he’s the Head Girl’s Powerlifting Coach and Assistant Boy’s Powerlifting Coach. Coach Portley is from Kilgore and attended Texas A&M Commerce where he graduated with his Bachelor’s degree in education. He graduated with his Master’s degree in Educational Counseling at San Angelo State University. Coach Portley’s wife Lori will be joining him at PTHS this year teaching Biology and coaching cheer. He has two daughters, Adrian (25) and Dominque (27), two stepchildren, Grayson (17) and Addyson (13), and a grandbaby, Raven (2). Coach Portley currently serves as the secretary board member and Regional Director for Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Association. He is excited to see what this school year brings. GO PIRATES.

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Jeremiah Robertson

Coach Robertson will be coaching our running backs and serving as an assistant baseball coach along with teaching 7th grade Texas History. He is a graduate of Huntington High School and graduated college from East Texas Baptist University with a BSE degree in Kinesiology. Coach Robertson is married to his beautiful wife Kaleigh who is the Head Tennis Coach here at PT. He is going into his 4th year here at Pine Tree and he is excited to be a part of the Pine Tree Family.

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Kaleigh Robertson

Coach Robertson is a graduate of Odessa High School. She played tennis at East Texas Baptist University (2017-2019) and graduated with a Bachelors of Science in EC-6 and Master's Degree in Educational Leadership. This will be Coach Robertson's second year coaching and third year teaching at Pine Tree. Coach Robertson married Coach Robertson December 2021. Coach Robertson is thrilled to be a part of the Pine Tree family and what we stand for as a district.

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Angel Rocha

Coach Rocha is the Head Boys Soccer Coach at Pine Tree. He is entering his fifth year as the boys head coach. Before Pine Tree, Coach Rocha coached at Grace Community (2009-2012) before returning to his alma mater, Tatum High, and served as its Boys Head Soccer Coach for six years. While at Tatum, he guided the program to its first UIL Season berth while also helping them qualify for the playoffs each year. Coach Rocha is a Tatum High School graduate and continued his education at Kilgore, LeTourneau, before earning his Bachelor's degree majoring in both English and Spanish.

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Steven Rockwell

Coach Rockwell is a 2007 graduate of Ore City HS. He and his wife Kawaljulah have two handsome young boys Elijah (6) and Gabriel (3). Coach Rockwell is entering his seventh year of coaching football and track at Pine Tree. He also will be a Parent Liaison & At Risk Coordinator for the Pine Tree School District. He has previous coaching experience at Hawkins HS- defensive coordinator in (2016-17) and Ore City (2015-16). At Ore City HS, Coach Rockwell was all-district and all-east Texas RB/LB. He graduated from Hardin-Simmons University in 2012 with a B.B.S. in Sports Fitness and Leisure Studies. He was also a four-year starter on the football team and was selected All-Conference and All-Region RB.

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Brandon Rodgers

Brandon Rodgers, born and raised in East Texas, is looking forward to his second year here with the Pirate family as a teacher for Special Education and Assistant Coach for Varsity Football, Freshman Basketball, and Junior High Track for the 2023-2024 school year! Coach Rodgers earned his Bachelor's Degree in Kinesiology from the University of North Texas in 2016, and has since obtained his certification in Early Childhood Education. He recently relocated from Denton, TX, where he and his family have lived for the past 10 years. His family includes his fiancé (Denei) and children (Kailynn – 13 years old, Aubrey – 12 years old, and his son, Avery – 6 years old).

Coach Rodgers has always felt a calling on his life for coaching and mentoring youth. For the past 11 years, he has enjoyed coaching AAU Basketball and Youth Football; competing all over the state of Texas. When he’s not coaching, he enjoys spending time with his family for movie nights, hiking, and playing sports with his kids. Coach Rodgers looks forward to this upcoming school year, where he can combine his purpose and his passion as a positive role model for the students at Pine Tree ISD. Go Pirates!

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Wesley Schoon

Coach Schoon is a graduate of Harmony High School. He played football and baseball at East Texas Baptist University (2012-13) and is a graduate of Tarleton State University where he majored in Kinesiology Fitness Management. Coach Schoon and his wife Ashley married in March of 2022. He has two step children Hunter and Hudson. He is going into his 8th year of teaching and coaching here at Pine Tree ISD.

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Pamela Slaughter

Coach Slaughter is a graduate of Ore City High School, State Champion 100 yard dash (1978). She represented the USA-AAU Track & Field team in Europe.She attended Texas Tech University, was a member of the Women Track & Field team. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education. She has been an educator for 23 years with 13 years of coaching experience. She is an active member in her church and community. She is married to Ronald, and has three sons Patrick, Ro'Derrick and Jerrick (Coach "JJ" Walker)

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Keith Smith

Coach Smith is excited and grateful for the opportunity to come to Pine Tree. A Louisiana native that went to college at ULM and has been fortunate enough to coach at some of the best programs in Louisiana and Texas including:

Neville and West Ouachita in Louisiana; and Malakoff, Austin Westwood, Austin Westlake, Longview, and Waco Robinson in Texas

Coach Smith also has his own basketball camps and has directed these camps in Maui Hawaii for 8 years .

Because of outstanding student athletes and assistant coaches, Smith has been able to win 585 games as a varsity coach with a 72% winning percentage. Coach Smith has made the playoffs 27 of 31 years as a head coach including 5 regional tournaments and a state tournament final.

Coach is excited to be helping with volleyball and basketball with the Pine Tree Pirates.

Melvin Stafford

Coach Stafford is a 2007 Pine Tree graduate. While in school at Pine Tree, he participated as a student athletic trainer. Coach Stafford graduated from Stephen F Austin State University in 2017 with his bachelors in Kinesiology and a minor in Health Science. He will be teaching Physical Education at the JH this year and coaching JH football, basketball, and track. Coach Stafford is glad to be part of the Pine Tree family!

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Kyle Stansell

Coach Stansell is the basketball assistant coach and 8th grade girls volleyball coach. He is from Talco, Tx and graduated college from Letourneau University. This will be his second year at Pine Tree and was at Mt. Pleasant for three years prior to coming to Pine Tree. He also served eight years in the Army National Guard before getting into coaching. "I'm excited to be at Pine Tree and ready to help build and grow all the sports program I'm involved in."

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Karissa Temaat

Coach Temaat is originally from Ottumwa IA. While in Iowa she attended college at William Penn University, in college Coach Temaat played volleyball at William Penn and earned her bachelors in Sports and Recreation management. Coach Temaat and her husband Clayton have two daughters Aurora 4, she attends Pine Tree Primary and Layla 1. Coach Temaat is the Junior High girls coordinator, coaches volleyball, basketball and track and she teaches Physical Education. This is her first year at Pine Tree.

Jordan Trahan

Coach Trahan will be coaching baseball and JH football this year for Pine Tree. Coach Trahan graduated in 2015 from Dayton High School in Dayton, TX. He then attended Tyler Junior College to play baseball. During his time at TJC he won two National Championships and a 2017 All- American. After TJC, Trahan attended LSU-Shreveport where he finished his baseball career and received his bachelor's degree.
He started his coaching career there, before going to TJC as a hitting coach. After TJC, Coach Trahan took a job as the Head Coach at Tyler High School. This will be Coach Trahan’s first year here at Pine Tree.

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Melissa Waddell

Coach Waddell is starting her fifth year here at Pine Tree. She graduated from Atlanta High School where she lettered in volleyball, basketball, and softball. Coach Waddell attended East Texas Baptist University where she played volleyball and softball. She received her B.S.E. from ETBU in 1999 with a major in kinesiology and a minor in history. Coach Waddell is excited about continuing the growth of the Lady Pirate program. . Go Pirates!!

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Jerrick Walker

Coach Walker was born and raised in Ore City, TX before eventually attending Linden-Kildare High School where he played football, basketball, baseball, tennis, and track and field. Coach Walker also was a state champion in triple jump during his time in Linden-Kildare. Walker received a college scholarship to Rice University and played WR for the Owls from 2011-2013. Walker later attended Sterling College in Sterling, KS where he was a National Qualifier in Track and field. Walker graduated from Sterling College in May of 2018 with a degree in Sports Management. Coach Walker is excited about the opportunity to coach football at Pine Tree JH and basketball at Pine Tree High this season and looks forward to a great year.

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Will Walker

Dr. Will Walker has a great love for health, physical activity, and athletics, and he comes from a family of educators and health-related professionals. After graduating from Avinger High School, he earned his B.S.E. in Secondary History and Physical Education from East Texas Baptist University, his M.Ed. in Kinesiology from the University of Texas at Tyler, and his Ph.D. in Kinesiology (Pedagogy) from the University of Arkansas - Fayetteville. After many years as a Kinesiology professor and athletics administrator with East Texas Baptist University, Dr. Walker joined Pine Tree ISD to teach Introduction to Health Science for the PT CTE program (preparing the next generation of health professionals) and to coach Junior High Athletics (preparing the Pirate athletes of the future). He is married to Dr. Ruthie Walker, principal of Pine Tree Primary, and has two children, Levi and Clara.

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Chris Yoder

Coach Yoder, a Pine Tree alumnus, is in his sixth year as our Lady Pirate Head Soccer Coach. He will be teaching Digital and Interactive Media, Career Prep, as well as Audio/Video Production at the high school. He and his wife Jenny have 5 children, Luke, Jojo, Noah, DJ, and Anna. Coach Yoder has previous coaching experience at Nacogdoches HS (1 year), Longview HS (12 years), and Kilgore HS (1 year).

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