Former Texas A&M Star Running Back Rises in the High School Coaching Ranks
After years of gridiron glory and personal evolution, former Texas A&M standout running back Marcus “Jet” Rollins has found a new calling: leading young athletes on Friday nights under the bright lights of Texas high school football. Known for his explosive speed and tenacity during his college days from 2008 to 2011, Rollins has transitioned from All-SEC running back to one of the fastest-rising names in the Texas high school coaching scene.
Rollins, now 36, began his coaching career modestly, joining the staff at his alma mater, North Garland High School, as a volunteer running backs coach. He brought more than just football knowledge—he carried with him the grit of someone who had overcome injuries, academic pressure, and the volatile business of professional football. After brief stints with the Dallas Cowboys practice squad and a couple of seasons in the CFL, Rollins turned his energy toward mentorship.
Within two years at North Garland, his impact was undeniable. The team’s rushing offense, once stagnant, surged to district-leading numbers. His players admired his detailed breakdowns of defensive fronts and his motivational talks that often started with “Back in College Station…” and ended with life lessons far beyond football.
His efforts didn’t go unnoticed. In 2021, Rollins was offered the offensive coordinator role at Southlake Ridge High School, a 6A powerhouse with a history of grooming Division I athletes. Under his guidance, the team averaged over 250 rushing yards per game and produced two All-State running backs in just three seasons. More impressively, his players routinely cited their coach’s leadership and discipline as the foundation of their success.
By early 2024, Rollins was named head coach at Eastwood Heights High, a struggling 5A program in Houston. The school hadn’t made the playoffs in nearly a decade. Rollins inherited a roster low on confidence but high on raw potential. He installed a disciplined off-season program and instituted a no-nonsense culture focused on accountability and academics.
In his first season, Eastwood Heights went 9–3, reaching the regional semifinals. What was once a quiet campus with empty Friday night stands was now a roaring community hub. “Coach Rollins brought a winning mindset,” said senior quarterback Devon Harris. “He showed us how to believe—in football and in ourselves.”
Off the field, Rollins partnered with local non-profits to start a mentorship program for at-risk youth, offering tutoring and athletic training. He credits Texas A&M’s “Aggie Core Values” as the blueprint for everything he does: respect, excellence, leadership, loyalty, integrity, and selfless service.
Now, college recruiters are not only watching his players—they’re watching Rollins himself. Rumors swirl of collegiate programs eyeing him for assistant roles, but Rollins remains grounded. “I’m exactly where I need to be,” he says. “Helping young men become better men—that’s the real scoreboard I care about.”
From the turf of Kyle Field to the sidelines of Texas high school stadiums, Marcus Rollins is proving that the most important runs of his life may not be the ones made with a football in hand, but the ones made alongside the next generation.
