Community to Honor Beloved Coach Ronald “Capt” Rodgers after Death
Allison Weslie, Staff Writer and Sarah Luna, Adjunct Writer
February 22, 2025
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“Capt” Rodgers stares down the field during the PSJA North football game in November 2024. Photo by: Allison Weslie
CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS—The Flour Bluff community will honor the late Ronald Rodgers, assistant head football coach and teacher, on Sunday, February 23, at the Flour Bluff Athletic Facility at 1PM.
Photo by: Tyler Bills
His Inspiration
His Inspiration
Rodgers taught discipline and compassion into the Flour Bluff football team. He instilled determination and a tough work ethic into his players over nearly five decades. Rodgers ran hard practice drills, taught impressive blocking techniques, and demanded “Class, Pride, and Heart” and hard work from his players both on and off the field.
“The standards were high, but Rodgers cared deeply for every young man who came into football, as well as any student that he helped in ISS. He also loved his young granddaughter, Tenlee, who he described as “the light of his world.’ ” Head Football Coach and Athletic Director Clynt Elwood said
Superintendent Chris Steinbruck and Coach Ronald Rodgers pose together for the start of the season game in August 2024 against New Mexico City. Photo by: Allison Weslie
Abel Valdez and Coach Rodgers at the Flour Bluff athletic banquet fall 2024. Photo by: Yolanda Valdez
Starting it All
Starting it All
Rodgers previously coached at four other schools before he joined Flour Bluff High School including Portales and Carlsbad high schools in New Mexico, San Angelo Central in San Angelo, and Alice High School in Alice.
Flour Bluff Superintendent Chris Steinbruck recalled how Rodgers was originally introduced to him through his time at Alice High School. A mutual friend of Steinbruck was both a student and, in 2005, a co-worker of Coach Rodgers as he retired from teaching in New Mexico and began working at Alice High School.
Most of all, Steinbruck remembers Rodgers’ impact on those around him.
“He always had time for everybody,” Steinbruck said. “I could remember when we were coming out of COVID. I was worried about Coach Rodgers, because he was one of our older coaches and we were having 600 to 700 cases of COVID a day.”
They were working out as a team and Steinbruck asked Rodgers why he didn’t stay home until the number of cases died down.
“He got real emotional and he said ‘I’m not going to stay home. This is my life, I love these kids, I love these coaches and I want to be here everyday,’” Steinbruck said. “I think those stories show the love for all the years that he was around.”
Allison Weslie and coach Rodgers at the Flour Bluff athletic banquet fall 2024. Photo by: Declan DeYoung
The 2024/2025 FBHS Offensive Line poses together at the last game of the season on December 7, 2024. Photo by: Audreana Underbrink
Legacy on the Field
Legacy on the Field
In his years at Flour Bluff High School, Rodgers' offensive lines consistently ranked among the best in South Texas. Under his guidance, the Hornets won four district championships, 10 bi-district championships, eight area championships, seven regional semifinal appearances, four regional final appearances, one state semifinal appearance and sent over 10 players to colleges with scholarships.
"I think Coach Rodgers had a huge impact on me,” Defensive Line Coach Joshua Cady said. “I started my career here at Flour Bluff. I've only been here for four years, and I think he's taught me something every year that I've been here. We had a lot of conversations in the morning, he imparted and taught me a lot about either offense or defensive line play, or how to be a better coach.”
Students like Payton Rowland, Allison Weslie and Christian Tucker remember Rodgers as tough but loving — a mentor and a father figure; someone who recognized potential in every player and student.
"Coach Rodgers always pushed me to get lower on my squat, to never give up, and to not let a bad play affect the next one,” Tucker said. “I'll never forget the nickname he gave me, 'Tuk-em-up.' It's like my first name now. Coach Rodgers taught me that no matter how difficult things get, you should take your time and get it done."
Rodgers leads players onto the field for the start of the second half of the game. Photo by Tyler Bills.
Landen Hooks, Coach Rodgers and Payton Rowland after football game. Photo by: Cheyann Hooks
A Life Beyond Football
A Life Beyond Football
Rodgers also served as the ISS teacher and encouraged those students to do their best and pushed them to be good people. His support and kindness extended to faculty as well, motivating teachers regardless of their experience level.
"He was one of the first people to treat me with open arms and kindness when I was a new teacher here," MAPS teacher and Junior High Coach Erin Steward said.
Rodgers had an amazing sense of humor, he would joke with students, teachers and other coaches, one of whom was Strong Safety Coach Elliot Chapa.
"Capt was extremely fun and wise — one of those old timers who could say things others couldn't get away with,” Chapa said. “What I'll remember most is that even when we'd talk trash like coaches sometimes do, or when things went too far, I'd always say 'Love you, Capt' as I was leaving. Even if he was annoyed, he'd always look back and say 'I love you too.' No matter if we were joking around or genuinely upset with each other, he was going to love you anyway. That's what I'll always remember about Capt."
A Lesson Taught By a Legend
A Lesson Taught By a Legend
Rodgers mentored current Offensive Line Coach, Declan DeYoung as he evolved from student to coach to teacher and mentor.
"Coach Rodgers spent a ton of time with me that spring when he didn't have to,” said DeYoung, remembering the extra training Rodgers gave him before DeYoung was hired by the district. “On his own time, answering a million questions from a young coach who didn't know anything.”
DeYoung said they would go out to dinner and chat about everything and anything.
“We just would spend time talking about football, obviously, but also talking about how to motivate kids, how to talk to kids, how to be really demanding of kids, and at the same time have them feel that you care about them and be somebody who they can trust," DeYoung said.
Head football coach, Clint Elwood and Coach Ron Rodgers selfie on the field. Photo by: Coach Elwood
Coach Rodgers in the weight room. Photo by: Journey Paluseo
Special Teams Coach Sam Quintana highlighted how Rodgers shared knowledge that ranged from professional to personal matters.
"He shared words of wisdom through his own experiences as far as things I should do as a young coach, weight room advice, football scheme, relationship advice and life in general.” Quintana said. “We also spent time picking on each other which is also a great memory. Above all, seeing Coach Rodgers continue to work extremely hard and coach with such passion at his age motivated me to do the same."
Photo by: Tyler Bills
Ron Rodgers, Jessie Butler and Chris Steinbruck pose with the winning trophy after a well fought game against San Antonio Peiper. Photo by: Tyler Bills
Once a Hornet, Always a Hornet
Once a Hornet, Always a Hornet
Steinbruck remembered a moment right after Rodgers was first hired. Rodgers told then-Superintendent Joe Kelly and Steinbruck how excited he was to be a Hornet again.
Rodgers went to school at Highlands High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, playing for legendary coach Bill Gentry. They were the Hornets then.
“[Rodgers] said that he started as a Hornet, and he wanted to retire a Hornet,” Steinbruck said.
Ronald is preceded in death by his parents, Wayne and Mary Rodgers, and nephews, Scott and Matthew Faith. Left to cherish his memory are his brother, Mike Faith; former wife, MaryLee Simon Rodgers; daughter and family, Joshua and Taryn Usher; granddaughter, Tenlee Usher; grandson, Stetson Mase; and nieces Michaela, Sara, and Christian Faith.
Elwood thinks about Rodgers both as someone who was toughened by the real world but also had a softer side.
“He is this tough guy and offensive line coach and this big guy and he runs a weight room and everything, but man he had a soft side, he loved to be loved on,” Elwood said.
Photo by: Tyler Bills
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