Defensive coordinator Calvin Ruzicka was promoted to head coach following a disappointing season that was tumultuous on many levels for East Texas Baptist. Ruzicka is from the Joey McGuire coaching tree at Cedar Hill High School. Like his mentor, Ruzicka understands the need to develop a relationship with every player on the roster. 2023 is Ruzicka’s first year as a collegiate head coach, and the spring was an adjustment for a veteran coach without a position to teach for the first time in years.

The main issue on the field last year was an anemic offense that averaged a mere 21.5 points per game, which was third-worst in the ASC. Ruzicka was happy with the progress of the offense and the defense during spring practice and expects the Tigers to be competitive within the ASC. ETBU’s defense has steadily improved since Ruzicka arrived on campus, and the Tigers finished last year with the most sacks (34) in the ASC.